,illu/ration3 ,,dagu]reotyp$ ,,by       
,,root4--,,engrav$ ,,by ,,s>ta94        
,m>g>et ,d\glass                        
,,educational ,,laws ,,( ,,virg9ia4     
,,!                                     
,,p]sonal ,,n>rative                    
,,(                            ,mrs4    
,m>g>et ,d\glass1                       
,a ,,s\!rn ,,woman1                     
,,:o ,,0 ,,imprison$ ,,= ,,"o ,,mon?    
,,9 ,,!                                 
,,common ,,jail ,,( ,,norfolk1          
,,"u ,,! ,,laws ,,( ,,virg9ia1          
,,= ,,! ,,crime ,,(                     
,,tea*+ ,,free ,,color$ ,,*ildr5 ,,to   
,,read4                                 
8,se>* ! ,scriptures60                  
8,h[ c "o read unless he be taught80    
,,holy ,,bible4                         
,,bo/on3                     ,,publi%$  
,,by ,,john ,p4 ,,jewett  ,,co4         
,,clevel&1 ,,ohio3                      
,,jewett1 ,,proctor  ,,wor?+ton4        
#ahed4                 ,ent]$ accord+ to
 ,act ( ,congress1 9 ! ye> #ahed1 by    

,,m>g>et ,,d\glass1     9 ! ,cl]k's     
,(fice ( ! ,di/rict ,c\rt ( ! ,unit$    
,/ates =                   ! ,ea/]n     
,di/rict ( ,p5nsylvania4                
,,n>rative c4      ,i am p]fectly aw>e t
 ! public _c be int]e/$ 9 my  p]sonal   
hi/ory previ\s to ! occurr5ces :i* ?is  
n>rative is  design$ to lay be=e !m1 nor
 am ,i va9 en\gh to suppose t  !re w\ld 
be any ?+ 9 x wor? relat+4 ,x w1 h[ev]1 
be  se5 necess>y t ,i %\ld /ate :o & :at
 ,i 01 & "u :at  circum/ances ,i f\nd   
myself sudd5ly plac$1 by ! au?orities ( 
! city ( ,norfolk1 9 a position ( su*   
un5viable notoriety4  ,?is position 0 n 
"o ( my own seek+1 nor 0 ,i ! ag5t or   
repres5tative ( any association4 ,i 0 n 
a 8,nor!rn emiss>y10  engag$ 9 und]m9+ !
 in/itutions ( ! ,s\?1 & recklessly     
defy+ h] laws1 b only a weak & helpless 
woman1 endeavor+ to d  :at ,i deem$ my  
duty to ,god & to humanity4 ,9 ord] to  
relate !  circum/ances z !y occurr$1 s t
 !y may be fully und]/ood1  my n>rative 
mu/ necess>ily assume a p]sonal "*1 = x 

0  ,i1 & ,i alone1 :o 0 cont5d+ = a     
heav5-born pr9ciple aga9/  n only !     
au?orities ( ,norfolk1 b aga9/ ! unit$  
/r5g? (  ! :ole ,/ate ( ,virg9ia4 ,!    
entire population ( ! commonweal?  t    
claims to be ! fir/ & noble/ 9 ! l& 7 ! 
pla9tiffs  9 ?is case1 ,i1 alone1 !     
def5dant4 ,my /ory !re=e mu/ n be  call$
 egoti/ical4    ,x is necess>y also t ,i
 ref] to myself1 9 ord] to d away )  any
 impression t ,i 0 or am an             
,abolitioni/1 z t t]m is  usually       
und]/ood at ! ,s\?1 = ,i am aw>e t a    
/rong ef=t  w be made to induce ?is     
belief on ! "p ( ! community1  9 ord] to
 weak5 ! effect :i* ,i hope my book is  
de/9$ to  produce4 ,i deem x prop]1 !n1 
to /ate at ! outset t su*  is n ! case1 
& t ,i 0 n cont5d+ aga9/ any ( !  ,s\!rn
 in/itutions1 b only aga9/ a p>ticul>   
law ( ! ,/ate  ( ,virg9ia1 & (1 z ,i    
believe1 "s ( ! neighbor+ ,/ates4       
,aga9/ ! op]ations ( ?is law1 a l>ge    
portion ( ev5 !  inhabitants ( ,virg9ia 
are beg9n+ to rebel1 z contr>y1 n only  

to good morals1 b to ! _s ( our c\ntry's
 in/itutions4 ,?is  law1 al?\gh connect$
 ) slav]y z a ,s\!rn in/itution1 has  n 
necess>ily any?+ to d ) ! ab/ract "q (  
slav]y  itself4 ,x is "o t might exi/ 9 
a free ,/ate1 ?\gh1 happily  x does n4  
,x is a law ^: influ5ce is felt1 n only 
among !  slave population ( ,virg9ia1 b 
:i* ext5ds ev5 to ! :ites  !mselves4 ,by
 a rec5t /atem5t made to ! ,legislature 
( ,virg9ia1  ! numb] ( gr[n up :ite m5 &
 wom5 9 ! ,/ate is e/imat$  at n9e      
hundr$ ?\s&1 & ( ?is numb] !re are      
no-less ?an  eighty ?\s& :o c nei!r read
 nor write4 ,! law1 9 concise  t]ms1    
prohibits ! in/ruction ( all color$     
p]sons1 by means (  books or pr9t$      
pap]s1 b x does n prev5t ! giv+ ( v]bal 
or oral in/ruction ev5 to slaves4 ,9 "s 
( ! ,s\!rn ,/ates a  simil> law exi/s 9 
ref]5ce only to ! slave population1 b ,i
 0  n aw>e until my arre/1 t ! law (    
,virg9ia 0 m /r+5t1  & includ$ 9 its    
op]ation ! free color$ p z well z !     
slaves4 ,_h ,i kn[n ?is1 & _h ,i n !    

con/ant example be=e me  ( ^? :om ,i    
suppos$ 7 well in=m$ z to ?is matt]1 ,i 
%\ld  n h d>$ to set myself up 9        
opposition to ! laws ( a ,/ate (  :i* ,i
 0 a resid5t4    ,i repeat1 !re=e1 mo/  
emphatically1 t ,i 0 n an ,abolitioni/1 
& t no p]son or p]sons _h any?+ to d ) !
 c\rse ,i  pursu$1 9 ev5 ! mo/ indirect 
mann]4 ,i am a ,s\!rn woman1 by  bir?1  
education1 & pr9ciples4 ,i h be5 a      
slavehold] myself1  &1 if circum/ances  
r5d]$ x necess>y or practicable1 ,i     
might  be su* aga94 ,) ! ab/ract "q (   
slav]y ,i h no?+  to d 9 ?is book4 ,i   
write x z a ,s\!rn woman to ! p (  !    
,s\?4 ,i am & always h be5 "o ( !m1 &   
/ill possess  ! same atta*m5t = !m & _! 
in/itutions1 t 0 fir/  in/ill$ into me 9
 my *ildhood1 & :i* has gr[n /rong] dur+
  my :ole life among !m4    ,i 0 born 9 
! city ( ,wa%+ton1 b remov$ at a v e>ly 
age to ,*>le/on1 ,s\? ,c>ol9a2 :]e ,i 0 
subsequ5tly m>ri$1  & resid$1 until !   
ye> #ahde1 :5 ! pa9ful associations     
connect$ ) ! dea? ( my only son induc$  

me to remove to  ,norfolk1 ,virg9ia1 :]e
 ,i l$ a quiet & unobtrusive life1 ) my 
only daught]1 until ! mon? ( ,decemb]1  
#ahec4 ,hav+ be5 ?r[n  ^u my own        
res\rces1 & possess$ ( a too indep5d5t  
_s to be  a burd5 to ^? :o might h      
assi/$ me1 ,i support$ myself &  *ild by
 ! labor ( my h&s2 my bus9ess be+ t (   
ve/-mak+4  ,be+ a sup]ior workwoman1 ,i 
always _h an abundance ( ! be/ "w  to d2
 b x 0 necess>y = me to labor           
incessantly1 9 ord] to  ma9ta9 myself & 
daught] respectably4 ,be+ bless$ ) good 
heal?1 ,i 0 enabl$ to d ?is4 ,we liv$   
alone1 9 a retir$ "p  ( ! city1 & our   
circle ( acqua9tances1 f *oice1 n f     
necessity1 0 r limit$4 ,our habits 7    
indu/ri\s1 frugal &  retir+4 ,we 7      
respect$1 & l$ lives t 7 irreproa*able1 
z  0 abundantly conc$$ by ev5 ! ,judge  
be=e :om ,i 0 tri$4 ,our  only          
association ) society 0 t into :i* we 7 
l$ by !  ex]cise ( our feel+s (         
humanity2 x be+ our natural disposition 
to %>e ! little goods we possess$ ) ^?  

:o 7 9 want or  affliction ( any sort4  
,we n[ enjoy ! happy satisfaction ( kn[+
  t we h left beh9d u1 _m grateful      
he>ts1 9 ^? ^:  di/ress we h reliev$1 or
 ) ^: sorr[s we h sympa?iz$4    ,?is    
brief hi/ory ( myself & my antec$5ts1   
seem$ necess>y1  9 ord] to %[ :o & :at  
,i 01 & to effectually put d[n !        
ass]tions ( "s ( ! ,s\!rn editors1 t ,i 
0 an ,abolitioni/  9 disguise1 or1 at   
lea/1 0 act+ at ! in/igation ( ^? :o    
are enemies to ! ,s\? & h] in/itutions4 
,i %all n[ proce$ to  relate1 z         
succ9ctly z possible1 ! hi/ory ( my     
p]sonal conte/  ) ! great & dignifi$    
,/ate ( ,virg9ia1 z repres5t$ 9 !       
p]sons ( a few m5 9 p[] 9 ! honorable   
city ( ,norfolk4    ,be+ p]fectly       
satisfi$ ) my daught]'s society1 ,i     
crav$ no  o!r1 & endeavor$ to practice !
 precepts :i* ,i wi%$ to in/il  into h] 
m9d1 &1 z %e grew old]1 we w5t on h& 9  
h&  9 our little b5evol5t duties1 mak+  
all[ances = ! faults (  o!rs1 practic+  
m]cy & *>ity to all :o came 9 our way1  

bo?  black & :ite2 &1 z ,i am a /rong   
advocate = ! religi\s  in/ruction ( !   
:ole human family1 x fell to our lot to 
become !  religi\s & moral in/ructors ( 
a few little color$ free *ildr54    ,!re
 is a well kn[n b>b] liv+ 9 ! city (    
,norfolk1 a g5teel  & respectable color$
 man1 mu* respect$ 9 t community4 ,hav+ 
"s bus9ess ) him1 ,i "o day call$ at 8  
%op1 into :i* he  politely invit$ me4   
,ca/+ my eyes ar\nd1 !y fell ^u two     
little  color$ boys1 ) spell+ books 9 _!
 h&s1 :i* !y appe>$  to be v att5tively 
engag$ 9 /udy+4 ,i inquir$ if !y 7 8    
*ildr51 & if !y w5t to s*ool4 ,8 reply  
01 t !y 7  81 b t !y did n g to s*ool1  
?\gh he 0 v anxi\s to  h !m le>n4 ,i !n 
inquir$ if !re 7 no day s*ools = free   
color$ *ildr54 ,he smil$1 & said1 ,no1  
madam2 & he believ$ t  !re 0 no "o :o   
took int]e/ en\gh 9 little color$ *ildr5
  to keep a day s*ool = !m4 ,i repli$1 t
 ?is 0 a pity1 b  t !re 0 c]ta9ly a l>ge
 ,sunday s*ool connect$ ) ,*ri/'s       
,*ur*1 to :i* he might s5d 8 *ildr54 ,8 

answ] 01 t 8  *ildr5 did att5d t s*ool1 
b t !y did n le>n mu*2 z  !y _h no "o to
 assi/ !m 9 _! lessons dur+ ! week2 t   
he kept !m at _! books1 :5ev] !y _h any 
sp>e "t1 & t  !y w\ld occasionally pick 
up a little in/ruction f ^? :o  visit$ 8
 %op4 ,i inquir$ if he _h any education 
himself4 ,he said  no1 b t he inde$ felt
 ! want ( x1 & 0 v ?ankful to  any "o :o
 w\ld take ! tr\ble to in/ruct 8 *ildr54
 ,i !n  f\nd t he _h five *ildr51 ?ree (
 :om 7 little girls1 &  t !y 7 all v    
anxi\s to le>n4 ,)\t fur!r consid]ation 
or hesitation1 ,i !n (f]$ to all[ my    
daught] to tea* 8 little  boys1 /at+ t  
%e w\ld d s ) great pleasure4 ,i told   
him to  s5d !m e day to my h\se1 & t x  
ne$ n deta9 !m long  f 8 bus9ess4 ,he   
?ank$ me v k9dly1 & said t he w\ld  s5d 
!m1 al?\gh _! "t 0 v valuable to him1 z 
!y 7  oblig$ to wait ^u ! g5tlem5 :o    
visit$ 8 %op4 ,8 eag]ness  = !          
in/ruction ( 8 *ildr5 deeply int]e/$ me1
 &1 on my  return home1 ,i relat$ !     
circum/ance to my daught]1 :o readily   

ass5t$ to my proposal4 ,hav+ no fur!r   
bus9ess ) ?is man1 ,i  saw no m ( him1 &
 _h ne>ly =gott5 ! occurr5ce1 until he  
call$ at my h\se ) 8 little girls4 ,i   
receiv$ him politely1  & spoke k9dly to 
8 *ildr51 :o 7 neatly dress$1 & v       
respectful1 & appe>$ unusually          
intellig5t4 ,_! fa!r !n  said1 8,mrs4   
,d\glass1 ,i h told my little girls (   
y\r k9d (f]  to in/ruct _! bro!rs1 & !y 
are also v anxi\s to le>n1  & ,i wi% to 
"k if y w\ld n pref] to h ^! two elde/1 
?9k+ t ! boys might give y\r daught] too
 mu* tr\ble40 ,i  repli$ t x w\ld be no 
tr\ble1 b a pleasure to u1 & t  he might
 s5d bo? ! boys & girls regul>ly e day1 
& t  we w\ld d all we c\ld = _! religi\s
 & moral in/ruction4 ,i  !n inquir$ if  
!y _h any books4 ,he repli$1 only su* z 
_h be5  giv5 !m at ,*ri/ ,*ur* ,sunday  
s*ool4 8,v well10 said ,i1 8give  !m ^? 
books1 & s5d !m to-morr[40 ,i felt c]ta9
 t !re  c\ld be no?+ wrong 9 do+ dur+ ! 
week :at 0 done on ,sunday  by ! tea*]s 
9 t s*ool1 :o 7 memb]s ( "s ( ! fir/    

families 9 ,norfolk1 nor 9 us+ ! v books
 t 7 giv5 to !  *ildr5 !re taught4 ,i 0 
p>ticul> also to asc]ta9 t bo?  himself 
& family 7 free1 z ,i knew t ! laws ( ! 
,s\!rn  /ates did n p]mit ! slaves to be
 educat$1 al?\gh at ! same  "t1 all !   
*ur*es 9 ,norfolk 7 actually in/ruct+ f 
books  bo? slave & free color$ *ildr51 &
 _h done s = ye>s )\t  mole/ation4      
,on ! day foll[+ ! two little girls made
 _! appe>ance alone1  _! fa!r be+ unable
 to sp>e _! bro!rs f 8 bus9ess4  ,my    
daught] receiv$ h] little s*ol>s k9dly1 
& endeavor$ to  make !m feel z com=tably
 z /range *ildr5 c feel 9 a  /range     
h\se4 ,at ?is "t ,i liv$ 9 a neat little
 h\se1 conta9+  f\r rooms1 situat$ 9 a  
quiet & respectable neighb\rhood1 )     
ev]y?+ g5teel & com=table ar\nd u1 ga!r$
 toge!r by  our own indu/ry4 ,9 ?is h\se
 ,i _h liv$ ne>ly f\r ye>s4 ,x 0  alone1
 & ,i _h engag$ x be=e x 0 f9i%$1 ?9k+ x
 w\ld  =m a quiet & retir$ home = myself
 & daught]4 ,:e!r x  prov$ to be su* or 
n1 my read]s w see4 ,ne>ly ! :ole block 

0 built up ) small t5em5ts1 & ,i soon   
f\nd t my neighbors  7 n ( ! mo/ ref9$  
class1 & w\ld prove no associates  = u4 
,i !re=e det]m9$ to live v seclud$1 & be
 seldom  se5 or he>d4 ,/ill1 ,i         
endeavor$ to be k9d & oblig+ to all :o  
/ood 9 ne$ ( my sympa?ies1 & made x my  
bus9ess1 if any (  !m 7 sick or 9       
tr\ble1 to adm9i/] to _! wants by s5d+  
n\ri%m5t1 or1 if necess>y1 by call+ to  
see !m 9 p]son2 /ill  receiv+ none z    
visitors at my h\se2 = !y 7 a class ( p 
) little or no education1 &1 ( c\rse1   
ref9em5t !y knew  no?+ (4 ,!y did n     
appreciate my "* & habits1 & c\ld  n    
und]/& my retir$ way ( liv+1 & at times 
we 7 greatly  annoy$ by !m4 ,?is ,i c\ld
 n at fir/ und]/&1 z ,i knew ,i  did n  
m]it any unk9dness f !m1 b ,i endeavor$ 
to be> my  p]secutions ) pati5ce1 &     
cont9u$ to live 9 my own solit>y  way1  
my daught] att5d+ to our little dome/ic 
affairs1 & ,i  /eadily employ$ ) my     
ne$le4    ,! two little girls cont9u$ to
 come e day1 & 7 well  behav$ & v       

ob$i5t4 ,!y soon became inde$1 a s\rce (
  pleasure to u4 ,!y 7 v att5tive to _! 
/udies1 & )  my daught]'s unremitt+     
att5tion1 !y made rapid progress4 ,!y  7
 ) u ne>ly a mon?1 :5 my daught] rem>k$ 
to me1 t  %e w\ld be v sorry to "p ) !m1
 z !y le>n$ v fa/1  & e day requir$ m ( 
h] att5tion1 & %e fe>$ t  !y w\ld       
int]f]e ) h] o!r duties4 ,n[1 up to ?is 
"t1 ,i  _h n anticipat$ receiv+ any     
comp5sation = ! tuition (  ^? *ildr51   
nor _h ,i dream$ ( e/abli%+ a regul>    
s*ool4  ,:at ,i _h done _h be5 m]ely f !
 impulses ( common humanity1  )\t a     
?\ght ( rew>d4 ,i casually ask$ my      
daught] :i* %e  w\ld pref]1 to tea* ^?  
*ildr51 or assi/ me 9 sew+2 & if  %e    
w\ld be will+ to take *>ge ( a small    
class ( free color$  *ildr54 ,%e repli$ 
t %e 0 fond ( *ildr51 & w\ld be glad  to
 tea* !m if %e c\ld e/abli% a class4 8,v
 well10 ,i said1  8y %all d s3 we w op5 
a s*ool on ! fir/ ( next mon?1  7:i* 0  
,june1 #aheb17 = free color$ *ildr540 ,i
 !reupon s5t  ^w to ,mr4 ,rob9son1 !    

fa!r ( ! two little girls1 notify+ him  
( our int5tion1 & /at+ t he might s5d u 
all ! s*ol>s  t he c\ld1 & t ! price (  
tuition w\ld be ?ree doll>s  p] qu>t]4  
,we 7 at once ov]run ) applications1 &  
our little  s*ool 0 soon =m$ & well     
regulat$1 ! *ildr5 punctual 9  _!       
att5dance1 & "u good discipl9e4 ,my     
daught] paid /rict  att5tion to !m1 & !y
 made rapid progress 9 _! /udies4 ,our  
s*ool numb]$ tw5ty-five pupils1 ( bo?   
sexes1 & cont9u$ 9  prosp]\s exi/5ce    
ab\t elev5 mon?s4 ,we made no secret ( !
  matt]1 & nev] int5d$ to d s1 nor c\ld 
we1 _h we desir$ to  ev] s mu*4    ,my  
read]s w !re=e p]ceive1 t ! =mation (   
our little  s*ool arose f a circum/ance 
entirely accid5tal1 ,i hav+ at fir/     
(f]$ simply to tea* two or ?ree color$  
*ildr5 _! ,sunday  s*ool lessons2 !y be+
 memb]s ( ,*ri/'s ,*ur* ,sunday s*ool2  
& f ! v books giv5 to !m by ! ladies &  
g5tlem5  engag$ 9 t s*ool4 ,f9d+ ^?     
*ildr5 ob$i5t & well  behav$1 z well z  
anxi\s to be taught1 ,i became deeply   

int]e/$  9 _! welf>e1 & cont9u$ f "t to 
"t to receive all :o  (f]$ !mselves z   
pupils4 ,liv+ a life s retir$1 ,i ne$$  
an  occupation involv+ "s c>e1 & 0 glad 
to be engag$ 9 a duty  s b5evol5t4 ,we  
att5d$ /rictly to _! moral & religi\s   
in/ruction1 &1 :5 !y 7 sick1 we promptly
 visit$ !m1 &  adm9i/]$ to _! wants1 &1 
,i am inde$ happy to say1 al?\gh ,i  0  
aft]w>ds cruelly ca/ into prison &      
o!rwise unju/ly dealt  )1 ,i h !        
satisfaction ( kn[+ t ,i suff]$ 9 a good
 &  righte\s cause4 ,i 0 totally        
ignorant ( any exi/+ law prohibit+  !   
in/ruction ( free color$ *ildr51 b1 at !
 same "t1 ,i  0 c>eful to h no slaves   
among our s*ol>s4 ,e ?+ pass$  on       
quietly = sev]al mon?s1 9 ! ord9>y r\t9e
 ( a *ild's  s*ool1 ) no?+ to int]e/ my 
read]s p>ticul>ly1 unless x be  "o      
incid5t :i* w nev] be =gott5 by u1 viz3 
! dea? ( "o  ( our little s*ol>s1 !     
circum/ances ( :i* ,i w "h take !       
lib]ty to relate4    ,%e 0 ab\t f\rte5  
ye>s ( age1 &1 :ile at s*ool1 %e 0      

mild1 humble & ob$i5t1 & /udi$ v h>d4   
,h] =m 0 sl5d]  & h] con/itution v      
delicate4 ,i frequ5tly ?\ght t h] close 
application to h] books w\ld injure h]  
heal?1 ?\gh %e seem$  pr$e/9$ to an e>ly
 grave4 ,%e 0 at l5g? tak5 s]i\sly ill1 
& we visit$ h] z frequ5tly z our        
engagem5ts w\ld p]mit4 ,w  my read]s g )
 me into a tott]+ negro hovel1 situat$ 9
 !  v he>t ( ! city ( ,norfolk8 ,x is a 
mis]able apology = a  human habitation1 
conta9+ b two ap>tm5ts1 "o above ! o!r4 
,on "o side ( ! fir/1 or gr\nd floor1 is
 a wret*$ b$1 support$  by "s bo>ds &   
brok5 *airs1 & on x lies "o ( ,mrs4     
,d\glass's  sable s*ol>s1 h] "y life fa/
 ebb+ away "u ! ravages ( a  rapid      
consumption4 ,h] "m1 poor woman1 is     
little bett] (f1 &  h] holl[ c\gh tells 
too truly t h] own days are numb]$4 ,)  
a con/itution naturally delicate1 &     
almo/ worn out by con/ant  wat*+1 %e is 
unable to e>n any?+ to add to h] little 
/ores1  or ev5 to obta9 ! slighte/      
necess>y n\ri%m5t = h] dy+  *ild4 ,"h is

 a sc5e ( suff]+1 & no "o to adm9i/] to 
!  wants ( ! dy+ or ! liv+4 ,common     
humanity calls l\dly = !  ex]cise (     
simple *>ity1 b ! cry is unhe>d4        
,quietly & alone1 my daught] & myself   
sat up1 night aft] night1  ) ! suff]+   
*ild1 & endeavor$ to smoo? h] pa?way to 
!  grave4 ,%e seem$ f> m happy & cont5t$
 :5 we 7 beside h]1  & we !re=e gave to 
h] all ! "t we c\ld possibly sp>e4 ,on  
! night t %e di$ we sat ) h] until a    
late h\r1 &1 z we  7 leav+ h]1 %e said1 
9 brok5 acc5ts2--8,i ?ank y1 ,mrs4      
,d\glass & ,miss ,rosa1 = all y h done =
 me3 y h taught  me to pray & to read my
 ,bible1 b ,i %all nev] read x aga92 y  
mu/ pray = me be=e y g40 ,we did s1 &   
left h] 9 a quiet  slumb]1 f :i* %e     
awoke only1 z we tru/1 9 heav54 ,we took
  *>ge ( ! fun]al arrangem5ts1 _h h]    
poor corpse neatly attir$  = its la/    
repose1 & saw t e ?+ 0 done dec5tly & 9 
ord]4 ,six ( h] s*ool mates1 select$    
previ\sly by h]self1 dress$  9 :ite1    
act$ z pall be>]s at ! fun]al1 & 7      

foll[$ by  ! re/ ( ! s*ool1 ,i 9 a close
 c>riage br++ up ! re> (  ! procession4 
,yes1 ,i foll[$ to ! grave ! rema9s ( a 
poor  little negro *ild1 & z ?is 0 a    
/ret* ( humanity t ! good  p ( ,norfolk 
c\ld nei!r appreciate nor und]/&1 ,i    
suppose  ,i may trace to x ! beg9n+ ( _!
 future p]secutions1 :i*  result$ f9ally
 9 ! desc5t ^u my e/abli%m5t by ! (fic]s
  ( ! law4    ,! desc5t 0 made on my    
s*ool on ! #i? day ( ,may1 #ahec1 betwe5
  eight & n9e o'clock 9 ! morn+1 :5 !   
*ildr5 _h ne>ly  all assembl$4 ,no note 
( w>n+ _h be5 giv5 ( ?is movem5t1 &  x 0
 z unexpect$ z ! sudd5 upheav+s ( an    
e>?quake4 ,our  s*ool-room 0 situat$ 9 !
 second /ory back room4 ,my daught]  _h 
b a few mom5ts be=e tak5 h] seat at h]  
humble p9e table1  & 0 surr\nd$ by h]   
little sable s*ol>s4 ,sable1 did ,i say8
 ,no1  n all2 = 9 _m cases ! diff]5ce   
c\ld sc>cely be p]ceiv$  betwe5 !m &    
:ite *ildr54 ,yes1 ,mrs4 ,d\glass       
8condesc5d$0 to  tea* free black m5's   
*ildr51 & free :ite m5's *ildr5--"s (  !

 latt] be+1 v probably1 among h] real   
p]secutors6 ,x 0 a  horrible crime1 0 x 
n8    ,all 0 go+ on z peaceably z usual1
 & ,i _h tak5 my seat to  comm5ce my    
daily toil1 :5 a l\d knock 0 made at my 
front door4  ,i answ]$ x myself1 :5 !   
face ( an (fic] pres5t$ itself1  :o     
inquir$ :o liv$ up /airs4 ,i repli$ t ,i
 alone occupi$ !  h\se4 ,he !n ask$ if  
,mrs4 ,d\glass liv$ !re4 ,i told him t  
,i  0 ,mrs4 ,d\glass4 ,he said1 8,y keep
 a s*ool40 8,yes1 sir10 0 my  reply4 8,a
 s*ool = color$ *ildr580 ,i answ]$1     
8yes40 8,i mu/ see  ^? *ildr510 said he4
 ,i !n dem&$ :at bus9ess he _h )  !m1 or
 ) any?+ 9 my h\se4 ,he repli$1 t he _h 
be5 s5t  by ! ,mayor4 8,v good1 sir10   
said ,i1 8walk 91 & y %all see  !m20 &1 
)\t giv+ my daught] or ! *ildr5 any     
notice1  ,i invit$ him up /airs into !  
s*ool-room4 ,nev] w ,i =get  ! fright5$ 
/ate ( ^? *ildr51 & ! c\nt5ance ( _!  "y
 tea*]4 ,my daught] sat p>alyz$1 cov]+  
h] face ) h]  h&s2 & x 0 "s "t be=e ,i  
c\ld re/ore ord] 9 ! room4  ,"s 7 cry+1 

"s exclaim+ 8,oh my6 oh my60 & "s cl++  
ar\nd me 9 _! t]ror2 b1 dur+ !          
excitem5t1 ,i nev] lo/  my pres5ce (    
m9d4 ,z soon z ,i _h re/or$ quiet 9 !   
room1 ,i  inquir$ ( ,mr4 ,*]ry1 ! ,city 
,con/able1 :at he want$ ) ^?  *ildr54   
,he repli$1 t he mu/ take !m be=e !     
,mayor4 8,v  well1 sir10 said ,i1 8my   
daught] & myself w accompany !m40 ,to   
my a/oni%m5t1 he w5t to ! head ( ! /airs
 & gave a l\d rap  ) 8 club1 :5 ano!r   
(fic] made 8 appe>ance1 ent]+ f  my back
 door4 ,= ! mom5t ,i ?\ght t my h\se 0  
surr\nd$  ) (fic]s1 :o p]haps fanci$ t  
!y _h f\nd a ne/ (  ?ieves4 ,!y !n not$ 
d[n ! names ( all ! *ildr51 z well  z ^?
 ( _! p>5ts4 ,:5 !y _h f9i%$1 ,i        
politely in=m$  ,mr4 ,*]ry t !y 7 all   
free *ildr51 & all1 or ne>ly all1       
memb]s ( ! ,*ri/'s ,*ur* ,sunday-s*ool4 
8,x makes no diff]5ce1  madam10 he      
repli$1 8x is a violation ( ! law to    
tea* any p]son  ( color to read or      
write1 slave or free1 & an act puni%able
 by  imprisonm5t 9 ! p5it5ti>y40 8,v    

well10 ,i repli$1 8if !y  s5d me to !   
p5it5ti>y1 x w be 9 a good cause1 & n a 
disgraceful "o40 ,ev5 ?is in=mation1 :i*
 0 ! mo/ pr(\nd  news to me1 did n      
unn]ve me at all3 = ,i rememb]$ t our   
,savi\r 0 p]secut$ = do+ good1 & :y %\ld
 n ,i be4 ,?is  ?\ght /r5g!n$ me to be> 
my own p]secutions = t5 long mon?s      
aft]w>ds4    ,! (fic]s hav+ left ! s*ool
 room1 ,i politely escort$ !m  d[n      
/airs1 pr(f]+ !m seats until ,i made "s 
alt]ations 9 my  dress be=e ,i          
accompani$ !m to ! ,mayor's (fice4 ,i   
imm$iately  return$ to ! s*ool room1 &  
f\nd ! *ildr5 9 a dreadful /ate  (      
excitem5t4 ,i mu/ "h in=m my read]s t   
all p]sons ( color  9 ! ,s\!rn1 or      
,slave ,/ates1 h a dreadful horror (    
con/ables1  = x is ^! (fic]s to :om is  
entru/$ ! execution ( _!  puni%m5t = all
 (f5ces4 ,aft] ,i _h aga9 br\ght !      
*ildr5 to  ord]1 ,i 0 ready to accompany
 ! (fic]s4 ,i arrang$ ! *ildr5  9 c\ples
 & gave !m up to ! (fic]s1 & we all />t$
 = !  ,mayor's (fice1 my daught] &      

myself walk+ at a little di/ance  9 !   
re>4 ,w my read]s please imag9e1 = an   
in/ant1 a cr[d  ( little *ildr51 walk+  
two & two1 prec$$ & foll[$ by two  /\t  
m51 ea* ) a great club 9 8 h&s8 ,x      
rem9d$ me ( a  flock ( little lambs go+ 
to ! slaught]4    ,we soon rea*$ !      
,mayor's ,c\rt1 & 7 seat$ until 8 honor 
0 ready = an exam9ation4 ,_m spectators 
7 pres5t to witness  ! wond]ful sight ( 
a sudd5 desc5t ^u a negro s*ool4 ,i _h a
  casual acqua9tance ) 8 honor1 ,mayor  
,/ubbs1 z ,i _h be5 be=e  report$ to him
 = an act ( humanity to a helpless &    
wor?y little  woman & h] two infant     
*ildr54 ,i _h be5 made acqua9t$ ) h]    
suff]+s & mis]able situation1 &1 f "t to
 "t1 = two  ye>s1 ,i _h be/[$ ^u h] _m  
acts ( k9dness & sympa?y1  z cordially z
 ?\gh %e _h be5 my own si/]4 ,%e _h a   
drunk5  & wor?less husb&1 :o1 :5 9 a    
/ate ( inebriation1 0 v  viol5t & brutal
 to h]1 & :o w\ld (t5 leave h] = weeks  
at  a "t1 )\t a c5t1 & almo/ 9 a /ate ( 
/>vation4 ,at ^?  em]g5cies %e w\ld     

subsi/ solely on :at %e receiv$ f my    
b\nty4 ,f9ally1 h] "y *ild1 ab\t "o ye> 
old1 0 tak5 v  ill4 ,%e 0 a k9d &       
affectionate "m1 & griev$ mu* = h]      
little boy4 ,i endeavor$ to obta9       
assi/ance = h] 9 ! humane &  b5evol5t   
city ( ,norfolk1 b 9 va94 ,i alone clung
 to h] to !  la/4 ,%e resid$ at "s      
di/ance f my h\se4 ,h] *ild lay =  "s   
weeks 9 a v critical condition1 & ,i    
c\ld n d z mu* =  h] z ,i desir$ to d4  
,at ?is "t h] husb& 0 away on "o ( 8    
drunk5 c>\sals 9 ! city1 & n ev5 !      
suff]+s ( 8 dy+  *ild c\ld s(t5 8 brutal
 he>t4 ,i f9ally conclud$ to take h]  & 
h] *ildr5 into my own h\se1 & made !    
proposition to h]1  :i* %e receiv$ ) mu*
 gratitude1 & readily ass5t$ to4 ,by my 
advice %e soon _h h] little *attels     
ga!r$ toge!r & s5t !m  to an auctione]4 
,! room 0 soon empti$1 &1 ) h] two sick 
*ildr51 %e ha/5$ to my h\se1 :]e1 ) our 
unit$ att5tions1  we succe$$ 9 rais+ !  
little suff]] to heal?4 ,! facts 9  ?is 
case hav+ be5 report$ to ,mayor ,/ubbs1 

he call$ 9 p]son  to see me1 & prov$    
himself to be a good man1 z he aft]w>ds 
0  a m]ciful judge4 ,i relate ?is little
 circum/ance m]ely to %[ my  fir/       
acqua9tance ) ?is g5tleman4    ,x 0 ab\t
 a ye> aft] ?is occurr5ce :5 ,i ent]$ 8 
c\rt-room  ) my little s*ool1 9 ob$i5ce 
to 8 some:at press+  invitation1 &      
att5d$ by 8 two (fic]s z a gu>d ( honor4
    ,i felt c]ta9 t he 0 a man :o desir$
 peace 9 8 community1  z well z "o      
dispos$ to temp] ju/ice ) m]cy to all4  
,9 ab\t  fifte5 m9utes we 7 call$ be=e  
him1 & ! *ildr5 arrang$  on "o side ( ! 
room4 ,he greet$ me v cordially ) a     
8,good  morn+1 ,mrs4 ,d\glass40 ,i      
politely return$ 8 salutation1 :5 he    
rem>k$ t ,i _h q a l>ge family4 ,i said 
yes1 & t !y  7 all v good *ildr54 8,b1  
are y aw>e10 he inquir$1 8t  x is a     
violation ( ! law ( ?is ,/ate to in/ruct
 color$ *ildr5  to read80 ,i repli$1 t  
,i _h n be5 aw>e ( ! exi/+ law  until t 
morn+2 t ^! 7 all free *ildr51 & t e  "o
 be=e him 0 a memb] ( ! ,*ri/'s ,*ur*   

,sunday-s*ool2 t  ?is s*ool 0 held at ! 
lecture-room on ,freemason /reet1 :]e   
prim]s & o!r books 7 giv5 to !m to le>n 
to read2 & t1  if ,i _h violat$ ! law1  
!y _h be5 do+ s = ye>s4 ,! ,mayor       
repli$ t su* facts _h nev] be5 report$  
to him1 or he %\ld  h be5 oblig$ to d 8 
duty 9 ! matt]4 ,a g5tleman1 :o 0       
pres5t1 volunt>ily ass]t$ t !re 0 a l>ge
 ,sunday-s*ool  kept !re = color$       
*ildr51 & t he ?\ght a violation (  !   
law 0 su* z mu* 9 "o place z ano!r4 ,8  
,honor !n took  up ! /atutes ( ,virg9ia1
 & read ! law on ! subject1 :i*  ann\nc$
 ! maximum p5alty atta*$ to its         
violation to be a f9e (  "o hundr$      
doll>s & imprisonm5t = six mon?s4 ,he   
also rem>k$  t he 0 v sorry ! matt] _h  
occurr$1 b t he mu/ d  8 duty 9 !       
premises4 ,i repli$1 t ,i expect$ him to
 d 8  duty2 b t ) a cle> consci5ce ,i   
c\ld be> imprisonm5t1 or  any?+ else4 ,i
 ask$ him if any?+ w\ld be done ) !     
*ildr54  ,he said1 8,no?+10 & gave      
imm$iate ord]s = _! dismissal1  :5 !y   

fl$ l s _m little birds let loose f a   
cage4 ,i  c\ld n refra9 f te>s z ,i     
look$ aft] !m z !y left !  room1 & ha/5$
 f :at 0 to !m a place ( exce$+ t]ror4  
,i 0 rejoic$ t no h>m w\ld fall ^u !m1 &
 felt t ,i  c\ld be> any?+ r ?an t !y   
%\ld suff] 9 any way4 ,i  !n inquir$ if 
any?+ w\ld be done ) _! p>5ts1 & 0      
answ]$1 8,no?+40 ,i !n ask$ 8 ,honor if 
he c\ld all[ ! :ole  responsibility ( ! 
matt] to re/ ^u myself2 t my daught]  0 
n yet ( age1 & t ,i 0 alone responsible 
= any act (  h]s1 z well z my own4 ,he  
inquir$ if ,i _h any fri5ds :o w\ld     
become security = my appe>ance be=e !   
,supreme ,c\rt4 8,fri5ds60  ,i repli$   
8,i am my own be/ fri5d1 & my daught]'s 
only "o40 ,i  told him to d 8 duty1 &   
put me 9 prison at once1 if he *ose1  = 
,i w\ld ask no favors at ! h&s ( any    
man4 ,on receiv+ ?is  reply1 he reflect$
 = a mom5t & !n said1 8,i ?9k t ,i am   
all[$ "s discretion 9 ?is matt]4 ,y say1
 ,mrs4 ,d\glass1 t  y 7 n aw>e ( ! exi/+
 law80 ,i repli$ t ,i 0 n1 &  t ,i 0 n  

dispos$ to violate ! laws ( any p or    
place  :]e ,i might reside4 ,he !n1 be+ 
p]fectly satisfi$ ) my good  int5tions1 
frank ackn[l$gm5t1 & ignorance ( ! law1 
dismiss$  ! matt]2 = :i* ,i t5d]$ him my
 ?anks1 & left ! c\rt room4    ,imag9e  
my surprise1 :5 ,i rea*$ ! /eps ( !     
c\r?\se1  to f9d a cr[d ( color$ m51    
wom51 & *ildr51 ! p>5ts  & relatives (  
fri5ds ( our little s*ol>s1 wait+ to    
le>n  ! decision ( ! ,mayor4 ,!y greet$ 
myself & daught] )  _m bless+s1 & said t
 if we _h any?+ to pay !y _h !  money   
ready = u4 ,i repli$ t su* 0 n ! case1 &
 t  !re _h be5 no h>m done2 & aft] w>mly
 ?ank+ !m = _!  k9dness & sympa?y1 we   
look$ ar\nd = our little s*ol>s1  ga!r$ 
z _m ( !m z we c\ld toge!r1 & took !m   
back to  ! s*ool-room1 :]e we gave ea* (
 !m _! books & slates1  &1 ) w\nd$      
he>ts1 took leave ( !m1 "o by "o4 ,x 0 a
 sad  p>t+1 & we griev$ to ?9k t !y mu/ 
h5ce=? gr[ up 9  d>kness & ignorance4 ,=
 sev]al days x 0 z mu* z we c\ld d  to  
receive ! visits ( ! p>5ts & fri5ds ( ^?

 *ildr51  _m ( :om we _h nev] se5 be=e4 
,!y lam5t$ ov] ! break+  up ( our little
 s*ool1 & _m %$ te>s freely4 ,!y %[]$   
_! bless+s ^u u1 & pray$ = our welf>e1 &
 7 evid5tly  truly grateful = all we _h 
done = _! *ildr54    ,x is g5]ally ?\ght
 9 ! ,s\!rn ,/ates t ! negroes are      
ungrateful1 b ,i1 = "o1 h nev] f\nd !m  
s4 ,f ! day  t ,i fir/ int]e/$ myself 9 
^! un=tunate p1 to !  day ,i left ! city
 ( ,norfolk1 !y lit]ally %[]$ ^u u _!   
grateful bless+s4 ,9 my op9ion1 ^? :o   
call ! ,s\!rn negroes  ungrateful1 are  
only ^? :o nev] d any?+ to call =? t    
emotion4 ,i believe ! oppress$ to be m  
susceptible ( gratitude  ?an any o!r    
class4 ,i h ev] f\nd !m s4 ,may ,i ask  
:at  gratitude d !y owe to ^? :o w      
degrade !m8 ,:at gratitude  does t *ild 
owe to 8 own fa!r1 :o coldly sells him z
 8  slave8 ,let u fir/ practice ju/ice &
 m]cy ourselves1 & !n ask  = ! gratitude
 ( our slaves4    ,my s*ol>s hav+ be5   
dismiss$1 & ! s*ool giv5 up1 9  ob$i5ce 
to ! requirem5ts ( ! law1 ,i felt       

p]fectly satisfi$  t ! matt] _h !re     
end$4 ,i _h promis$ my daught]1 "s      
mon?s be=e1 a visit to ,new ,york1 dur+ 
! int5d$ vacation (  our s*ool1 b !     
au?orities did n all[ u ! pleasure ( ?us
  indulg+ our s*ol>s1 hav+ giv5 !m an   
e>li] & mu* long]  vacation ?an we ev]  
dream$ (4    ,my daught] left ,norfolk  
on ! #bi? day ( ,june1 = ! city ( ,new  
,york1 int5d+ to return ab\t ! fir/ (   
,septemb]4 ,9 h] abs5ce  ,i 0 left      
entirely alone1 )\t ev5 a s]vant1 & s   
rema9$ =  ab\t six mon?s1 seldom go+    
out1 & receiv+ b few visitors1  aside f 
my little s*ol>s :o w\ld occasionally   
come to see me1  & br+ "s little tok5 ( 
_! cont9u$ affection4 ,!y all knew  t ,i
 0 v fond ( fl[]s1 & x 0 seldom t my    
table did  n conta9 b\quets f _! h&s4   
,inde$1 !y kept me suppli$  ) fl[]s dur+
 ! :ole summ]4 ,i /ill cont9u$ to visit 
!m  :5ev] !y 7 sick1 = ,i knew t no     
au?orities c\ld prev5t  ?is4 ,bo? ,i &  
my fri5ds suppos$ t ! matt] 0 =ev] end$1
  until ! #ac? day ( ,july1 :51 to my   

utt] a/oni%m5t1 ,i 0  s]v$ ) a legal    
pap]1 ( :i* ! foll[+ is a correct       
copy3--      8,,! ,,commonweal? ,,(     
,,virg9ia     ,to ! ,s]geant ( ! ,city (
 ,norfolk3     ,y are h]eby comm&$ to   
summon ,m>g>et ,d\glass1 & ,rosa        
,d\glass1 to appe> be=e ! ,judge ( our  
,circuit ,c\rt ( ! ,city   ( ,norfolk1  
at ! ,c\rt ,h\se ( our said ,city1 on ! 
fir/ day (   ! next ,novemb] ,t]m1 to   
answ] a pres5tm5t ( ! ,gr& ,jury made   
aga9/ !m 9 ! said ,c\rt1 on ! #b;d day (
 ,june1 #ahec1 = ?is1   t ! said ,m>g>et
 ,d\glass1 & ,rosa ,d\glass1 & ea* ( !m1
   did1 on ! #i? day ( ,may1 #ahec1 at !
 ,city ( ,norfolk1 unlawfully   assemble
 ) div]s negroes1 = ! purpose ( in/ruct+
 !m   to read & to write1 & did in/ruct 
!m to read & to write1   contr>y to !   
,act ( ! ,g5]al ,assembly1 9 su* case   
made &   provid$1 & aga9/ ! peace &     
dignity ( ! ,commonweal? (   ,virg9ia4  
,witness1 ,john ,williams1 ,cl]k ( our  
said ,c\rt1 at ! ,c\rt ,h\se1   ?is #ac?
 day ( ,july1 #ahec1 9 ! #gh? ye> ( !   

,commonweal?4                           
7,sign$17   ,,jno4 ,,williams1 ,c4 ,c4  
,a ,copy1 7,sign$17   ,,jno4 ,,williams1
 ,c4 ,c4    ,?is docum5t ne$s b little  
comm5t4 ,i m]ely ask1 0 n ! cause  a    
great "o t enabl$ a poor weak woman ?us 
to di/urb 8! peace  & dignity ( !       
,commonweal? ( ,virg9ia10 & t1 too1 89 !
  #gh? ye>0 ( its exi/5ce8 ,7 n !       
subject too s]i\s1 "o  might v5ture to  
laugh at ! idea ( ! fe>ful p]ils to :i* 
t  dignifi$ & ari/ocratic ,/ate 0       
subject$1 by ! fact t a few  little     
negro boys & girls _h le>n$ t fam\s     
s5t5ce 8,9 ,adam's  fall we s9n$ all40  
,let ! fact be record$1 & g d[n to      
po/]ity  among ! noble ar*ives ( t noble
 ,/ate1 t h] exi/5ce 0  jeop>diz$ 9 !   
ye> #ahec1 by ! %ock+ occurr5ce ( "s (  
its inhabitants le>n+ 8to read & to     
write40 ,%ades ( ,h5ry ,clay1  ( ,?omas 
,jeff]son1 ( ,john ,r&olph1 & ( all !   
dead wor?ies  ( ,virg9ia1 behold a      
specim5 ( enlight5$ progression t is    
some?+ m ?an an ab/raction6    ,aft]    

receiv+ ?is pap]1 ! effect ( :i* ,i well
 und]/ood1 my  m9d 0 heavily tax$ z to  
:at c\rse ,i %\ld pursue 9 ! matt]4     
,ow+ to my retir$ way ( liv+ & my       
con/ant employm5t1 ,i _h  b little "t to
 sp>e f my daily avocations1 b a va/    
am\nt  ( "t = reflection4 ,my pecuni>y  
means be+ limit$1 & hav+  b little      
affection = lawy]s1 ,i det]m9$ to rely  
^u ! ju/ice  ( my cause1 & plead my own 
case4 ,!re=e1 = f\r mon?s ,i 0  engag$ 9
 h>d /udy1 h>d labor1 & h>d liv+1 my m9d
 be+ z  fully occupi$ z my h&s4 ,i      
det]m9$ to conv]se ) no "o1 &  :5 !     
matt] w\ld be occasionally br\ght up by 
o!rs1 ,i w\ld  h z little to say z      
possible1 & few knew ! c\rse ( action  t
 ,i int5d$ to pursue4 ,9 ! fir/ place1  
,i _h no qu>rel )  ! p ( ,virg9ia1 & did
 n wi% to h1 & ,i det]m9$  to ent] into 
no conflict ) !m4 ,i also felt c]ta9 t1 
if ,i  employ$ c\nsel1 _m good m5 & wom5
 ( ,norfolk1 :o _h done all  t ,i _h1   
w\ld be br\ght into ! same difficulty4  
,leav+ self  entirely out ( ! "q1 ,i    

det]m9$ n to d any?+ to place  ^? engag$
 9 ,*ri/'s ,*ur* ,sunday-s*ool 9 ! same 
difficulty  ) myself1 = ,i he>tily      
approv$ ( :at !y 7 & _h be5  do+4 ,i    
also believ$ t1 if ,i kept quiet1 !     
matt] w\ld /ill  am\nt to no?+4 ,i c\ld 
n believe t m5 :o boa/$ ( _!  tal5ts &  
b5evol5ce c\ld be s bl9d$ by _! atta*m5t
 to  _! peculi> in/itution z to f>!r    
irritate a matt] t w\ld1  f beg9n+ to   
end1 prove disgraceful to !m & to _!    
,/ate4  ,i !re=e took a firm /&1 & 0    
det]m9$ to ma9ta9 !  pr9ciple = :i* ,i 0
 doom$ to suff]2 =1 z ,i h said be=e1   
,i am a /rong advocate = ! religi\s &   
moral in/ruction ( !  ,s\!rn slaves4 ,i 
0 det]m9$ to express my views freely1   
%\ld  my case ev] be br\ght be=e ! c\rt4
 ,dur+ ! :ole ( ?is  prosecution1 ,i did
 no?+1 ei!r by ^w or action1 to irritate
 !  p ( ,norfolk1 &1 ?\gh ,i might h    
repli$ to ! p>agraphs  aga9/ me ins]t$ 9
 _! newspap]s1 ,i did n d s2 &1 ?\gh    
extremely mortify+ to my feel+s to h my 
"n br\ght s freely  into ! public pr9ts1

 /ill ,i 0 sil5t1 & bore my p]secutions 
) pati5ce4    ,al?\gh ,i correspond$    
regul>ly ) my daught] e week1 ,i did  n 
make kn[n to h] ! condition ( affairs1  
desir+ n to m>  h] happ9ess ) our nor!rn
 fri5ds1 until ! fir/ ( ,septemb]1  :5  
,i direct$ h] to rema9 9 ,new ,york1    
until ,i %\ld call h]  home4 ,?us my    
read]s w see t my daught] did n 8run    
away0  f ! au?orities ( ,norfolk1 & !   
ass]tions to t effect 9  _! pap]s 7     
utt]ly false4 ,%e left ,norfolk be=e !  
summons  0 s]v$1 & rema9$ !re at my     
in/ance1 9 ignorance ( :at 0  go+ on at 
home4 ,norfolk 0 our adopt$ home1 & we  
nev] _h !  slighte/ idea ( runn+ away f 
x4 ,no1 inde$3 we w\ld n s f>  =get our 
native dignity1 z to h x said t a ,s\?  
,c>ol9ian  ran f a ,virg9ian4 ,z x has  
s9ce be5 prov51 ! au?orities  & p (     
,norfolk w\ld h be5 v glad if we _h tak5
 ?is  c\rse1 9 ord] t !y might at once h
 be5 reliev$ f !  odium ( pursu+ !      
prosecution1 & at ! same "t be5 enabl$  
to br& u z fugitives f ju/ice4 ,!       

,ri*mond ,exam9] has  rec5tly said t my 
prison doors 7 op5 at my bidd+4 ,x is v 
true t !y 71 b = :at purpose1 & h[ w\ld 
my flight h  be5 reg>d$8    ,believ+ t  
my lonely situation naturally call$     
l\dly =  fri5ds1 ,i ?\ght t 9 t city (  
*ur*es1 "s "o1 at lea/  among ! religi\s
 "p ( ! community1 w\ld come =w>d & (f] 
me sympa?y & advice )\t be+ solicit$    
!re=2 b w my  read]s believe me :5 ,i   
say1 t n "o solit>y individual ?us      
manife/$ ! lea/ int]e/ 9 ! matt]8 ,i    
det]m9$1 !re=e1  to ask no?+ at ! h&s ( 
a ,virg9ian1 = ,i _h nev] done s  dur+ !
 eight ye>s t ,i _h resid$ among !m1 &  
,i c truly  say t ,i owe ! p ( ,norfolk 
no?+3 no1 n ev5 = !  ex]cise ( common   
humanity4    ,z ! "t drew ne> :5 ,i w\ld
 be call$ ^u by ! attorney  ( !         
commonweal? to appe> = trial1 ,i felt   
myself ?or\ghly  prep>$ to meet ! wor/1 
& on ! fir/ day ( ! ,novemb]  ,t]m1 ,i  
volunt>ily /ood be=e him 9 8 (fice1 & _h
 a brief  conv]sation ) him1 9 :i* ,i   
in=m$ him1 t ,i 0 ready to  meet ! case1

 & t he w\ld oblige me by br++ x on z   
soon  z possible1 z my m9d 0 heavily    
tax$1 & ,i _h little "t to  lose4 ,he   
promis$ to d s1 & inquir$ :o 0 my       
c\nsel4 ,i told  him t ,i 0 my own      
c\nsellor1 & %\ld employ no o!r4 ,x 0   
my fir/ int]view ) ?is g5tleman1 & ,i 0 
mu* pleas$ )  8 mann] & conv]sation4 ,he
 rem>k$ t he %\ld be plac$ 9  a r       
disagreeable position1 by hav+ to plead 
aga9/ a lady4  ,i repli$1 t ,i wi%$ to  
be fri5dly ) him1 & hop$ t he  w\ld n   
?9k me unreasonable3 t ,i expect$ him to
 d 8 duty1  & t ,i %\ld c]ta9ly endeavor
 to d m9e4 ,i believe t !  matt] gave   
him "s uneas9ess1 :5 he f\nd t ,i 0     
det]m9$  to plead my own case1 &1 aft]  
expla9+ a few po9ts to him1 he  rem>k$ t
 ! matt] _h entirely slipp$ 8 memory1 & 
t he  _h n be=e ?\ght s]i\sly ab\t x4   
,he promis$ to s5d = me  :5ev] ,i 0     
want$1 & soon aft] did s2 b1 ano!r case 
n  be+ conclud$1 ,i 0 compell$ to await 
/ill ano!r day4 ,! day (  trial came at 
la/1 & ,i proce$$ to ! ,c\rt ,h\se1     

unatt5d$ by  any "o1 &1 seat+ myself 9 !
 jury room1 pati5tly await$ !  summons  
to appe> be=e ! ,c\rt4 ,i _h provid$    
myself ) a neat  & becom+ dress1 9 a    
description ( :i* my lady read]s may be 
int]e/$4 ,x 0 made ( black velvet1 fitt+
 closely & neatly to  my =m1 ) ri* fl[+ 
lace sleeves1 :ite kid gloves1 & a pla9 
/raw bonnet1 neatly trimm$ ) :ite4 ,i _h
 9 my h& ! copy (  ! summons1 & a small 
r$ pocket ,bible1 :i* my daught] us$ :5 
%e visit$ ! sick *ildr54 ,i _h writt5   
no?+ t ,i expect$ to  say1 pref]r+ to   
dep5d on my own en]gies 9 :atev]        
em]g5cies ,i  might be plac$4 ,be+ fully
 acqua9t$ ) ! rules ( c\rtesy1 &  !     
respect due f a lady to e true g5tleman1
 z well z t  requir$ by an honorable    
,c\rt1 ,i det]m9$ n to d ! slighte/     
viol5ce to ! feel+s ( any "o pres5t1 b  
to pr(f] all due  consid]ation to !     
,c\rt & c\nsellors1 & ,i c]ta9ly expect$
  ! same 9 return4 ,9 my det]m9ation to 
plead my own case1 ,i did n  desire to  
/ep out ( ! natural sph]e ( my sex1 or  

to =ce myself  into ! position ( a      
c\nsellor1 b ,i 0 ! p>ty mo/ deeply     
int]e/$2 _h giv5 ! matt] all due        
reflection1 & 0 be/  acqua9t$ ) its     
m]its2 _h ga!r$ toge!r e fragm5t &  wov5
 !m into "o web1 & x pleas$ me to       
unravel x myself2 = ,i  0 prosecut$ =   
violat+ a law t ,i knew no?+ ab\t4      
,c]ta9ly  no favors _h be5 %[n to me    
because ,i 0 a woman1 & !re=e ,i        
believ$ t ,i possess$ ! "r to def5d     
myself 9 my own way4    ,z ,i sat 9 !   
jury-room1 wait+ to be call$1 t body 7  
receiv+ _! *>ge f ! judge 9 "s petty    
case tri$ !  day be=e4 ,:5 !y ent]$1 ,i 
0 invit$ into ! c\rt-room4 ,!           
,prosecut+ ,attorney ( ! ,commonweal?   
receiv$ me at ! door1 &  we pass$ 9     
toge!r1 ,i tak+ my seat at ! c\nsellor's
 table1  directly fac+ 8 ,honor ! le>n$ 
,judge4 ,i ent]$ ! room ) a  firm /ep1  
walk$ pr\dly ?r\gh ! d>k cl\d ( heads t 
,i saw  ar\nd me1 & :5 ,i took my seat  
,i 0 p]fectly calm & collect$4  ,x 0 "s 
"t be=e ! c\rt 0 fairly organiz$2 =     

ev]ybody  pres5t seem$ to be confus$1   
except myself4 ,f9ally1 ! jury 7  sworn1
 & ! witnesses = ! ,commonweal? call$4  
,mr4 ,*]ry1 ! ,city ,con/able1 :o made !
 orig9al arre/1 0  sworn1 & exam9$ by ! 
,prosecut+ ,attorney2 &1 z he te/ifi$   
m]ely to ! facts z !y really 71 & knew  
no?+ f>!r1 ,i  did n cross-exam9e him4  
,! same may be said ( (fic] ,cox1 8     
assi/ant at ! "t ( ! desc5t ^u ! s*ool1 
:o 0 next  call$2 & also ( 8 ,honor1    
,mayor ,/ubbs1 nei!r ( :om 7  que/ion$  
by me4 ,! next witness call$ = !        
prosecution 0 ,mr4  ,c4 ,c4 ,melson1 !  
ag5t ( my l&lord1 :o1 al?\gh unexpect$ly
  call$ ^u1 walk$ firmly to ! witness   
/&1 plac$ 8 h&s  beh9d him1 fix$ 8 eyes 
/eadily ^u ! jury1 & answ]$ e  "q ) a   
degree ( promptness t did him cr$it4 ,he
 te/ifi$  m]ely t he 0 acqua9t$ ) me1 & 
0 ! ag5t & collector  ( r5ts = ,mr4     
,taylor1 my l&lord2 t he r5t$ me ! h\se1
 b  n = ! purpose ( keep+ a negro s*ool1
 & t he did n "k  t "o 0 kept !re2 t ,i 
engag$ ! h\se :5 ! f\ndation  0 laid1 & 

_h liv$ 9 x ev] s9ce4 ,on be+ ask$ if he
 ev]  saw any color$ *ildr5 ent]+ x1 he 
repli$ t he nev] wat*$  8 t5ants' h\ses 
to see :o w5t 9 or out4 ,!re 0 no       
necessity  = cross-exam9+ ,mr4 ,melson2 
& z suffici5t facts 7 deem$  prov51 & n 
d5i$ by me1 to sub/antiate ! alleg$     
violation  ( ! lett] ( ! law1 ! case = !
 prosecution "h re/$4 ,i  !n in=m$ !    
,prosecut+ ,attorney t ,i wi%$1 be=e    
exam9+  my witnesses1 to make a /atem5t 
to ! c\rt 9 ref]5ce to my  daught]'s    
abs5ce2 &1 p]mission be+ grant$1 ,i !n  
address$ 8  ,honor & ! jury2    8,i beg 
leave to in=m y\r honor1 & y1 g5tlem5 ( 
! jury1  t my daught]1 ^: "n is jo9$ )  
m9e 9 ?is prosecution1  is at pres5t 9 !
 city ( ,new ,york1 & 0 !re at ! "t !   
summons 0 issu$ & s]v$ ^u me3 b1 if %e 7
 9 ,norfolk at  ?is "t1 ,i d n "k t y h 
any bus9ess :atev] ) h]4  ,%e is "u age1
 & has be5 br\ght up 9 /rict ob$i5ce to 
me 9  all ?+s4 ,i am alone responsible =
 any act ( h]s1 z well z =  my own4 ,i  
am "h to answ] to any *>ge t may be     

br\ght aga9/  me4 ,i h be5 notifi$ to   
pres5t myself ?is day be=e ?is c\rt  to 
answ] to ! *>ge ( hav+ be5 engag$ 9     
tea*+ color$  *ildr5 to read & to write1
 & ,i am in=m$ t 9 s do+ ,i  h be5 act+ 
aga9/ ! peace & dignity ( !             
,commonweal?4  ,?is *>ge1 g5tlem51 ,i d 
n l1 b we %all see :o x is t  de/roys   
our peace & insults our dignity40    ,! 
,prosecut+ ,attorney "h t\*$ me on !    
arm1 ?9k+ t ,i  0 ab\t to discuss !     
m]its ( ! case be=e ! te/imony 0  clos$4
 ,?is some:at disconc]t$ me1 b ,i took  
my seat & soon  rega9$ my calmness1 &   
proce$$ to call my witnesses4    ,i _h b
 ?ree1 ,mr4 ,walt] ,taylor1 ,mr4 ,%>p1 a
 lawy]1 & ,mr4 ,john  ,williams1 also a 
lawy] & ! ,cl]k ( ! ,c\rt 9 :i* ,i 0    
be+ tri$4 ,all ^! g5tlem5 7 memb]s (    
,*ri/'s ,*ur*1 &1  toge!r ) _! wives &  
daught]s1 7 tea*]s & in/ructors  (      
negroes 9 ! ,sunday-s*ool held          
habitually 9 ! lecture room (  t ,*ur*4 
,mr4 ,williams _h p5n$ ) 8 own h&s !    
summons  t _h br\ght me !n be=e ! c\rt1 

:ile 8 own daught]1  ,miss ,eliza       
,williams 0 !n tea*+ 9 t ,sunday-s*ool !
 same  *ildr5 t 7 9 our s*ool1 & f !    
same books t !y  us$ ) u4 ,among o!rs :o
 7 also engag$ 9 tea*+ 9 t              
,sunday-s*ool1 & f ! same books t we    
us$1 ,i may m5tion  ,mrs4 ,dixon1 ,mrs4 
,s\?gate1 ,mrs4 ,p9kum1 ,miss ,m>?a     
,taylor1 ,miss ,jane  ,watson1 ,miss    
,h5rietta ,hunt]1 ! ,hon4 ,tazewell     
,taylor1 & ev5  "s memb]s ( ! family (  
,judge ,bak] :o presid$ on ! ,b5*  at my
 trial1 & f9ally fix$ & pass$ my s5t5ce4
 ,9 giv+ !  names ( ^! p]sons1 ,i am n  
actuat$ by any malici\s feel+s  t[>ds   
!m1 = ,i mo/ he>tily approve ( all t !y 
h done  9 ! matt] ( in/ruct+ ! color$ p 
( ,norfolk1 b ,i  d x m]ely to %[ !     
inju/ice to :i* ,i 0 subject$1 :ile  ^! 
individuals1 repres5t+ ! ari/ocracy ( t 
t[n1 & :o  _h done all1 & m ?an ,i _h   
done1 & because !y 7 su*  ari/ocracy1 7 
n only all[$ to escape ! puni%m5t atta*$
  to ! (f5ce ( :i* we 7 equally guilty1 
b also to aid 9  ! prosecution aga9/ me1

 & ev5 sit 9 judgm5t ^u me4 ,!          
d$uctions f ^! simple facts are s cle> &
 simple t ,i ne$  n direct ! att5tion ( 
my read]s to !m m p>ticul>ly4    ,!     
excitem5t 9 ! ,c\rt room1 :5 ! names (  
my ?ree witnesses  7 call$1 0 mo/       
int5se1 & :5 x subsid$1 ,mr4 ,taylor 0  
put  ^u ! /&1 & te/ifi$ z foll[s3--     
,"q4 ,0 y a tea*] 9 ! ,*ri/ ,*ur*       
,sunday-s*ool8    ,answ]4 ,= ! :ite     
*ildr5 ,i 01 & ! s*ool 0 held 9 !  *ur*4
    ,q4 ,did y nev] visit ! lecture     
room8    ,a4 ,i _h no?+ to d ) ! s*ool t
 0 kept !re4    ,q4 ,did y nev]         
di/ribute books to ! negro *ildr5 ( t   
s*ool8    ,a4 ,i att5d$ ! libr>y ( !    
s*ool = :ite *ildr54    ,q4 ,did y n    
in/ruct color$ *ildr5 to read f ^?      
books8    ,a4 ,i did n4    ,mr4 ,taylor 
0 n cross-exam9$ by ! ,prosecut+        
,attorney1 & ,i  all[$ him to take 8    
seat1 & call$ ,mr4 ,john ,williams1     
,attorney1  & ,cl]k ( ! ,c\rt4 ,?is     
g5tleman took ! /& ) a pallid           
c\nt5ance1 & quiv]+ lip1 evid5tly       

extremely tr\bl$ by !  position 9 :i* he
 f\nd himself plac$4 ,my b5evol5t feel+s
  w\ld n all[ him to convict himself or 
8 amiable daught]1 & ,i  !re=e ask$ him 
a few unimportant que/ions1 & dismiss$  
him4 ,i  !n call$ ,lawy] ,%>p1 :o       
te/ifi$ z foll[s3--    ,q4 ,7 y a tea*] 
9 ! s*ool = color$ *ildr51 held 9       
,*ri/'s ,*ur* ,lecture room8    ,a4 ,no1
 madam4    ,q4 ,did y n att5d !         
,sabba?-s*ool held !re = !  in/ruction (
 negro *ildr58    ,a4 ,i w5t !re1       
occasionally1 & lectur$ to !m4    ,q4   
,did y n di/ribute books among !m8      
,a4 ,! ladies _h all to d ) t6    ,q4   
,:5 y visit$ t s*ool1 did y n in/ruct !m
 y\rself8    ,to ?is "q he repli$ v     
%>ply1--?us ev9c+ 8 "n  to be indicative
 ( 8 "* & disposition1--t !y did n  tea*
 !m to read & write1 & t he did n "k t !
 law  prohibit$ religi\s & moral        
in/ruction to negroes4    ,i answ]$1    
8,if y1 sir1 :o are engag$ 9 ! practice 
( ! law1  did n "k x1 h[ c\ld x be      
expect$ t ,i %\ld80    8,madam80 said   

he1 z ?\gh he did n und]/& me4 ,i       
repeat$ !  "q1 & he !n address$ !       
,judge1 & ask$ p]mission to say  :at he 
_h to communicate directly to ! jury4 ,i
 made no objection1  & he proce$$ to    
/ate z foll[s3--    ,t c]ta9 negroes    
appli$ to ,rev4 ,mr4 ,cumm+s1 ! ,pa/or (
  ,*ri/'s ,*ur*1 = religi\s in/ruction1 
& 7 all[$ to  meet = t purpose 9 !      
lecture room ( ! *ur*4 ,he 7,%>p7       
occasionally visit$ ! s*ool & lectur$ to
 !m4 ,he f\nd t  "s ( !m c\ld read v    
well1 b t :5 !y came to ! h>d  words1 he
 all[$ !m to skip ov] !m6    ,?is 0     
suffici5t = my purposes4 ,?is witness1  
hav+ at fir/  d5i$ t ! memb]s ( t s*ool 
7 taught to read1 :5 !  "q 0 press$     
home1 endeavor$ to escape ! p]ils ( 8   
position by say+ t ! ladies _h all to d 
) t6 ,oh1 brave  ,mr4 ,%>p6 ,y w h5ce=? 
be rememb]$ 9 ,norfolk z hav+ crept  "u 
! ladies' aprons 9 ord] to %elt] y\rself
 f ! eye (  ! insult$ law4    ,b1 ev5   
aft] ?is1 he admitt$ t ! s*ol>s 7 9     
possession  ( books1 = he1 himself1     

exam9$ !m1 & f\nd t "s ( !m  c\ld read v
 well4 ,he c\ld n be mi/ak5 ab\t ?is1   
because he  all[$ !m to skip ov] ! h>d  
words4 ,?is 0 8 own language1  & ,i "h  
leave him :]e he left himself4    ,^!   
books 71 9 _m in/ances1 ! id5tical      
copies us$ 9 my  s*ool1 & my only object
 9 introduc+ ?is te/imony 0 to %[  !    
jury t ,i _h be5 do+ only :at 0         
habitually done 9 ?is  s*ool1 & t if ,i 
0 guilty ( a violation ( ! law1 ,i _h   
abundant prec$5ts among ! ari/ocracy ( !
 city4 ,?is hav+ be5  %[n conclusively  
by ! unwill+ witness1 ,%>p1 my case is  
end$4    ,! ,prosecut+ ,attorney1 :o    
treat$ me ) ! utmo/ respect &  def]5ce  
?r\gh\t ! :ole proce$+s1 gallantly waiv$
 8 "r  to address ! jury fir/1 & ,i     
proce$$ ) my clos+ spee* z  foll[s3--   
8,,g5tlem5 ,,( ,,! ,,jury3    8,i n[    
deem x "r & prop] t y %\ld "k some?+ (  
,mrs4  ,d\glass1 :o /&s be=e y *>g$ )   
violat+ y\r laws4 ,i d  n plead guilty  
to ?is *>ge1 =1 9 my op9ion1 to be a    
violator  ( any law or laws1 !          

individual mu/ "k t !y are su*1 :i*  ,i 
did n1 & _h abundant prec$5ts among ^?  
:o %\ld h  kn[n x1 if !y 7 su*1 = :at ,i
 did4 ,i am a ,s\!rn woman by  bir?1    
education1 & feel+4 ,i h be5 a          
slavehold] myself1 &  ,i w\ld be aga91  
if ,i felt s dispos$4 ,i am a native ( &
 h  always resid$ 9 a ,s\!rn slave      
,/ate4 ,! h\se ( my *ildhood is  z de>  
to me z my life1 & ,i am z deeply       
int]e/$ 9 ! welf>e  ( ,virg9ia1 & ( !   
:ole unit$ ,s\!rn slave ,/ates1 z ,i am 
9 ! ,/ate ( ,s\? ,c>ol9a2 yes1 & a great
 deal m s ?an  v _m :o call !mselves m54
 ,i am no abolitioni/1 nei!r am  ,i a   
fanatic1 & ,i am by education z /rongly 
oppos$ z y are to  ! int]f]5ce ( ,nor!rn
 anti-slav]y m5 ) our in/itutions1      
al?\gh ,i believe t _! pr9ciples are    
bas$ on a religi\s  f\ndation4 ,i deem x
 ! duty ( e ,s\!rn]1 morally &          
religi\sly1 to in/ruct 8 slaves1 t !y   
may "k _! duties  to _! ma/]s1 & to _!  
common ,god4 ,let ! ma/]s fir/ d  _!    
duty to !m1 = !y are /ill our slaves &  

s]vants1 :e!r  bond or free1 & c be no?+
 else 9 our community4 ,let u n  qu>rel 
) our neighbors1 b r look ar\nd u & see 
:at we  h ourselves to d t we h left    
undone s long4 ,i am a /rong  advocate =
 ! religi\s & moral in/ruction ( ! :ole 
human  family4 ,i h always in/ruct$ my  
own slaves1 & w cont9ue to d  s z long z
 ,i rema9 9 a slave ,/ate4 ,/ill1 ,i am 
n dispos$ to  violate ! laws ( any p or 
place :]e ,i may *ance to reside4  ,i _c
 believe = a mom5t t ?is prosecution is 
a m]e matt]  ( doll>s & c5ts1 or t !re  
is n "o truly good & noble  he>t$ man   
among y4 ,oh no2 ?is ,i _c & w n        
believe4 ,!n  let x be ! welf>e ( y\r p 
& y\r c\ntry t y seek1  & ,i am ) y1    
he>t & s\l4 ,?is is a matt] t calls = ! 
consid]ation ( e true & noble he>t--!   
common welf>e ( our  p4 ,s f> z my k (  
human nature ext5ds1 ! man :o is  born a
 c[>d1 nurs$ 9 ! lap ( ignorance1 &     
br\ght up a c[>d1  naturally dies a     
c[>d4 ,! application ( ?is ,i leave to  
y\rselves4    8,! *ildr5 :om ,i _h =    

in/ruction 7 memb]s ( ,*ri/'s  ,*ur*    
,sunday-s*ool4 ,my own little s]vant 0  
h&$ a prim] by "o  ( ! tea*]s ( t s*ool1
 ) ! in/ruction t he mu/ /udy  8 book1 &
 att5d ! ,sunday-s*ool4 ,he 0 made ready
 by myself or  daught]1 & s5t e aft]noon
 ) 8 book1 to t s*ool4 ,?is  0 done =   
two ye>s be=e ,i int]e/$ myself 9 ^!    
*ildr5  9 ! =m ( a regul> day-s*ool4 ,i 
believe x is n expect$  t ladies w come 
to ! ,c\rt ,h\se to le>n ! laws1 rules1 
& regulations ( a city 9 :i* !y may     
happ5 to reside4 ,9 my  op9ion1 :atev] !
 religi\s portion ( ! community is      
engag$ 9  do+1 :e!r 9 city1 t[n1 or     
c\ntry1 is g5]ally consid]$ z  lawful & 
prop]4 ,we took c>e ( ^? *ildr51 visit$ 
!m :5  sick1 & m9i/]$ to _! wants1 & x 0
 a pleasure = u to d  s4 ,0 !re any ?+  
wrong 9 ?is8    8,let u look into !     
situation ( our color$ population 9 city
 (  ,norfolk1 = !y are n dumb brutes4   
,if !y 71 !y w\ld be  m c>efully        
consid]$1 & _! welf>e bett] provid$ =4  
,=  in/ance1 two or ?ree ( ^! p are n   

all[$ to assemble  toge!r by !mselves1  
:e!r 9 sickness or 9 heal?4 ,!re is no  
provision made = !m1 :atev] !           
circum/ances may be1 & su*  meet+s are  
pron\nc$ unlawful & treasonable4 ,?9k y1
 g5tlem51  t !re is n mis]y & di/ress   
among ^! p8 ,yes1 inde$1  mis]y en\gh1 &
 frequ5tly />vation4 ,ev5 ^? t are call$
  free are heavily tax$1 & _! privileges
 greatly limit$2 &  :5 !y are sick1 or 9
 want1 on :om does ! duty devolve to    
seek  !m out & adm9i/] to _!            
necessities8 ,does x fall ^u y1         
g5tlem58 ,oh no1 x is n expect$ t       
g5tlem5 w take !  tr\ble to seek out a  
negro hut = ! purpose ( alleviat+ !     
wret*$ness he may f9d )9 x4 ,:y !n      
p]secute y\r b5evol5t  ladies = do+ t   
:i* y y\rselves h s long neglect$8      
,%all we treat our slaves ) less        
compassion ?an we d ! cattle 9  our     
fields8    8,9 my op9ion1 we h no?+ to  
fe> f ! true blood$ negro4  ,x is !     
half-bre$1 or ^? ) m or less :ite blood 
9  _! ve9s1 :om ,i h always f\nd        

presumptu\s1 trea*]\s &  rev5geful4 ,& d
 y blame !m = ?is8 ,h[ c y8 ,ask        
y\rselves  ! cause4 ,ask h[ t :ite blood
 got b5ea? ^? tawny sk9s1 &  let nature 
h]self acc\nt = ! exhibition ( ^!       
in/9cts4 ,blame  ! au?ors ( ?is devili% 
mis*ief1 b n ! innoc5t victims (  x4    
8,z = myself1 ,i %all keep on ) my good 
"w2 n1 h[ev]1  by cont9u+ to violate :at
 ,i n[ "k to be y\r laws1 b by          
endeavor+ to tea* ! color$ race humility
 & a pray]ful _s1  h[ to be> _! suff]+s 
z our ,savi\r bore 8 = u all4 ,i w  tea*
 !m _! duty to _! sup]iors1 h[ to live1 
& h[ to die4  ,& n[1 if ignorance ( y\r 
peculi> laws is n a suffici5t excuse  = 
my violation ( ! lett] ( !m1 surely my  
good int5tions1  & ! abundant examples  
set be=e me by y\r mo/ wor?y & pi\s     
citiz5s1 ought to conv9ce y t ,i 0      
actuat$ by no improp]  motives1 & _h no 
ult]ior designs aga9/ ! peace & dignity 
(  y\r ,commonweal?4 ,b1 if o!rwise1 !re
 are y\r laws3 en=ce  !m to ! lett]4 ,y 
may s5d me1 if y s decide1 to t cold  & 

gloomy prison4 ,i c be z happy !re z ,i 
am 9 my quiet little  home2 &1 9 !      
pursuit ( k1 & ) ! res\rces (  a        
well-/or$ m9d1 ,i %all be1 g5tlem51 a   
suffici5t companion  = myself4 ,( "o    
consolation y _c deprive me3 ,i g n z a 
convict$ felon1 = ,i h violat$ no tittle
 ( any "o ( ! laws  t are embodi$ 9 !   
,div9e ,decalogue2 ,i %all be only a    
s+le  suff]] "u ! op]ation ( "o ( ! mo/ 
inhuman & unju/ laws  t ev] disgrac$ !  
/atute book ( a civiliz$ community40    
,i "h clos$ my rem>ks1 aft] say+ t if   
any c\nsellor pres5t  0 dispos$ to speak
 9 my behalf1 he %\ld receive my        
grateful  ?anks2 b1 no "o respond+1 ,i  
pass$ into ! jury-room1 to await  !     
result4 ,i 0 in=m$ t ! ,prosecut+       
,attorney made b a  few rem>ks1 n urg+ a
 conviction v /rongly1 b1 ( c\rse1  z 9 
duty b\nd1 correctly /at+ ! law1 9 !    
case1 to !  jury4 ,a numb] ( g5tlem5    
pres5t came to me & t5d]$ _!            
congratulations on my address to ! jury4
 ,i _h spok5 9 a l\d &  di/9ct voice1   

duly emphasiz+ my words t !y might h _! 
full effect4 ,i _h spok5 = ne>ly        
?ree-qu>t]s ( an h\r1 &  felt some:at   
exhau/$1 b by no means unn]v$4    ,x 0 n
 long be=e ,i 0 in=m$ t ! jury 7 n      
likely  to agree imm$iately ^u a v]dict1
 & ,i !re=e return$ home4  ,!y _h "s    
difficulty 9 com+ to a unanim\s v]dict1 
& x  0 n until ! morn+ ( ! ?ird day t !y
 r5d]$ "o (  ,guilty1 b fix+ ! f9e at "o
 doll>1 in/ead ( "o hundr$4  ,?is v]dict
 0 to h be5 expect$4 ,!re 0 no d5ial t !
  law1 z x /ood1 _h be5 disobey$ by me1 
& a v]dict ( guilty on  ! *>ge1 z       
pref]r$1 0 !re=e inevitable4 ,! jury _h 
x 9  _! p[] to r$uce ! f9e to a m]e     
nom9al sum1 :i* !y did1  also fully     
believ+ t ! judge w\ld ex]cise ! same   
discretion1  & entirely remit !         
imprisonm5t atta*$ to ! (f5ce4 ,?is 0   
also ! univ]sal belief z well z g5]al   
desire on ! "p ( !  community4 ,i 0 n   
s5t = on ! r5dition ( ! v]dict2 &1 !    
c\rt1 hav+ to adj\rn1 my s5t5ce 9 =m 0  
def]r$ until !  #aj? day ( ,janu>y1     

#ahed4    ,9 ord] t ! fidelity ( my     
n>rative may be atte/$ by !  evid5ce ( !
 ,virg9ians !mselves1 ,i w "h ins]t an  
article  t appe>$ 9 ! ,pet]sburg ,daily 
,express1 dat$ ,novemb] #cj?1  #ahec1 & 
:i* 0 made up *iefly f ! ,norfolk ,daily
 ,news4 ,x  0 head$ 8,h] ,own ,lawy]10 &
 ,i give x v]batim3--    8,q a novel &  
highly int]e/+ case has rec5tly be5 tri$
  be=e ,judge ,bak] at ,norfolk ,city4  
,a ,mrs4 ,m>g>et ,d\glass1 =m]ly  (     
,*>le/on1 ,s4 ,c41 0 arraign$ "o day la/
 week1 on a *>ge (  tea*+ negro *ildr5  
to read & write1 contr>y to ! /atute 9  
su* cases made & provid$1 & aga9/ !     
peace & dignity ( !  ,commonweal?4      
8,by "s means or o!r1 z we le>n f !     
#8,daily ,news1' a report  _h be5       
previ\sly circulat$ t ! lady _h det]m9$ 
n to  employ ! s]vices ( c\nsel1 b to   
rely solely ^u h] own legal  abilities 9
 conduct+ h] def5ce4 ,?is1 z a matt] (  
c\rse1  fill$ ! c\rt-room ) p]sons      
anxi\s to witness ! novel  spectacle1 & 
:5 %e ent]$ ! c\rt-room & took h] seat  

among  ! lawy]s1 a mo/ pr(\nd s5sation 0
 creat$4    8,! jury _h no soon] be5    
empannel$1 ?an ! lady1 )\t  wait+ = !   
exam9ation ( witnesses1 or ! op5+ rem>ks
 (  ! ,attorney = ! ,commonweal?1       
proce$$ 9 a cle> & melodi\s  voice1 to !
 consid]ation ( ! *>ges set =? 9 !      
indictm5t4    8,! surprise ( ! :ole     
legal frat]nity 0 s great1 at ?is  sudd5
 revolution 9 ! "t honor$ practice ( !  
,c\rts1 t  %e _h progress$ consid]ably  
into ! m]its ( ! case1 be=e  8 ,honor   
recov]$ himself suffici5tly to in=m h]1 
t x w\ld  be m regul> to susp5d h]      
rem>ks until aft] ! exam9ation (        
witnesses 0 conclud$4 ,! lady readily   
ass5t$ to ! proposition  ( 8 ,honor1 & !
 witnesses = ! ,commonweal? 7 call$ to  
! /&4 ,by _! te/imony1 x appe>$ t1 "s   
mon?s ago1  in=mation rea*$ 8 ,honor1 ! 
,mayor1 ,simon ,s4 ,/ubbs1 ,esq41 (  a  
s*ool = ! education ( blacks1 be+ 9     
successful op]ation  9 ! city (         
,norfolk1 "u ! sup]9t5d5ce ( ,mrs4      
,d\glass4  ,a w>rant 0 imm$iately issu$1

 ) directions to ! (fic]s to  br+ all   
p>ties conc]n$ be=e him1 9 ord] t !     
matt] might  be inve/igat$4 ,^u repair+ 
to ! resid5ce ( ,mrs4 ,d\glass1 !       
(fic]s f\nd "s eighte5 or tw5ty y\?ful  
desc5d5ts ( ,ham  engag$ 9 lit]>y       
pursuits1 all ( :om1 ) _! tea*]s1 ,mrs4 
,d\glass & h] daught]1 7 tak5 into      
cu/ody1 & c>ri$ to !  ,mayor's (fice4   
,aft] a full inve/igation ( ! matt]1 8  
,honor  decid$ to dismiss ! compla9t 9  
ord] t a ,gr& ,jury might h  an         
opportunity ( giv+ x consid]ation4 ,at !
 meet+ ( ! ,gr&  ,jury a true bill 0    
f\nd aga9/ ,mrs4 ,d\glass & h] daught]1 
b ! latt] hav+ previ\sly gone to ,new   
,york1 process c\ld n  be s]v$ ^u h]4   
,on ! "p ( ! def5ce1 ! lady exam9$      
sev]al prom95t & respectable g5tlem51   
memb]s ( ! ,*ur*1 =  ! purpose ( %[+ t !
 practice ( tea*+ blacks _h be5         
sanctifi$ by ! cu/oms ( ! memb]s ( !    
diff]5t *ur*es 9  ! city 9 hav+         
,sunday-s*ools exclusively = t purpose4 
,x did  n appe> f ! evid5ce ( any ( !   

g5tlem5 call$ ^u by  ,mrs4 ,d\glass1 t  
!y _h actually se5 negroes taught f     
books  9 any ( ! ,sunday-s*ools ( !     
,city1 b ! fact1 z /at$ by  !m1 t ne>ly 
all ( ! negroes att5d+ ! ,sunday-s*ools 
c\ld read1 gave rise to a viol5t        
suspicion t _m ( ! ladies  & g5tlem5 (  
our city1 mov+ 9 ! high] circles (      
society1 _h  be5 guilty ( z flagrant a  
violation ( ! law1 z c\ld be imput$  to 
,mrs4 ,d\glass & h] daught]4    8,at !  
conclusion ( ! evid5ce1 ! attorney = !  
,commonweal?  k9dly gave way = ,mrs4    
,d\glass to cont9ue h] appeal to !      
,jury1  :i* 0 done on ! "p ( t lady1 9 a
 mann] t w\ld h  reflect$ cr$it on ,miss
 ,lucy ,/one1 or any o!r memb] ( !      
#8/rong  m9d$' si/]hood4 ,%e disda9$ to 
d5y ! *>ge pref]r$ aga9/  h]1 or to %irk
 ! responsibility 9 any way :atev]1 b   
glori$  9 ! philan?ropic duties 9 :i* %e
 _h be5 engag$4 ,%e d5i$1  h[ev]1 any k 
( ! exi/+ laws ^u ! subject1 &          
confid5tly expect$ t ! jury w\ld n      
pron\nce h] guilty1 =  hav+ committ$ no 

o!r (f5ce ?an t ( be+ betray$ into      
error--if su* x 0--by :at %e _h deem$   
di/+ui%$ prec$5ts4  ,hav+ conclud$ h]   
address %e retir$ f ! c\rt1 & ! case  0 
briefly conclud$ by ! ,attorney = !     
,commonweal?4    8,! jury1 be+ unable to
 agree ^u a v]dict ! fir/ day ( !       
trial1 7 adj\rn$ ov] until next morn+1  
:5 !y f\nd !  def5dant guilty1 & f9$ h] 
"o doll>4    8,! ,beacon says1 ! ,judge 
9 pass+ s5t5ce1 accord+ to !  /atute1 w 
condemn h] to imprisonm5t = n less ?an  
six mon?s40    ,dur+ ! int]val t occurr$
 betwe5 my conviction & !  s5t5ce ( !   
,c\rt1 ,i obta9$ p]mission f ! ,c\rt &  
,%]iff  to visit ,new ,york1 :]e ,i     
rema9$ two weeks1 & !n return$ )  my    
daught]4 ,?is be+ s contr>y to !        
expectations & wi%es (  ! au?orities &  
o!r public m5 ( ,norfolk1 :o 7 extremely
  anxi\s t ,i %\ld nev] return1 9 ord]  
t1 by br&+ me z  a fugitive f ju/ice1 !y
 might escape ! disgrace & odium        
already atta*$ to _! proce$+s1 & ?us get
 clev]ly out  ( ! difficulty2 !y 7      

exce$+ly inc5s$1 & comm5c$ a  s]ies (   
p]secutions 9 ! %ape ( p]sonal attacks 9
 "s (  ! ,norfolk pap]s1 p>ticul>ly !   
,c\ri] & ! ,argus4 ,!  editor ( !       
,c\ri]1 ,w4 ,wallace ,davis1 0 ! r+lead]
 9 ?is  movem5t1 & 0 frequ5tly 9 ! habit
 ( disgrac+ himself & 8  pap]1 & insult+
 ! bett] class ( ! community1 by indulg+
  9 su* diatribes z no g5tleman w\ld ev]
 suff] himself to be  guilty (4 ,x w\ld 
seem z ?\gh ! ju/ice ( ,heav5 _h spe$ily
  ov]tak5 him ) its retributions1 = x is
 b a few weeks ago  t he di$ sudd5ly1 z 
x is said f ! effects ( "s great  m5tal 
suff]+1 & x is n ung5]\s to suppose t ! 
/+s  ( consci5ce1 :5 he reflect$ ^u 8   
inhuman c\rse t[>ds me1  became sev]]   
?an he c\ld endure4 ,i leave him ) 8    
,god4    ,to %[ t su* 7 ! wi%es ( !     
au?orities & o!rs1 ,i  quote ! foll[+   
passage f ! ,norfolk ,argus1 "u date (  
,febru>y #i?1 #ahed4 ,i quote ! :ole ( !
 article "h1 ?\gh  portions ( x h       
ref]5ce to :at occurr$ subsequ5tly1 z ,i
  may h1 occasion to ref] to ! o!r      

passages4 ,x is head$  8,commonweal? vs4
 ,mrs4 ,d\glass10 & reads z foll[s3     
8,we publi% to-day ! judgm5t ( ,hon4    
,judge ,bak] 9 ! case (  ,mrs4 ,d\glass1
 :i* has mu* excit$ our citiz5s4 ,! fir/
 "t  )9 ! passage ( ! act =bidd+ ! tea*+
 ( slaves or free  color$ p]sons to read
 or write1 has a case ( ?is description 
come  "u ! jurisdiction ( our ,c\rt1 & x
 0 s+ul> t ?is case  %\ld be a woman4 ,!
 jury f\nd a v]dict ( guilty1 & ! law   
_h to be su/a9$4 ,sympa?y 0 ar\s$ =     
,mrs4 ,d\glass4 ,x 0  revolt+ to !      
citiz5s to h a woman imprison$ 9 our    
jail1 &  e inducem5t 0 (f]$ ,mrs4       
,d\glass to escape ! puni%m5t4  ,! ,c\rt
 0 oblig$ to adj\rn its judgm5t ov]1 &  
al?\gh a  capias 0 aw>d$1 yet x 0 ! hope
 & wi% ( e "o t  %e w\ld leave ! city4  
,b no2 #8a m>tyr' %e #8w\ld be to !     
cause  ( b5evol5ce2' & to cap ! climax1 
%e br\ght h] daught]1 a  maid5 ( "s     
sev5te5 summ]s1 :o _h obey$ !           
injunctions (  h] "m1 z a *ild %\ld1 to 
try ! /]n realities ( ! laws1  &1 to use

 h] own language 9 def5d+ h] cause1 #8to
 glory 9 works  ( b5evol5ce & *>ity to a
 race d[n-trodd54' ,!n sympa?y  dep>t$1 
& 9 ! brea/ ( e "o rose a righte\s      
indignation  t[>ds a p]son :o w\ld ?r[  
contempt 9 ! face ( our laws1 &  brave !
 imprisonm5t = #8! cause ( humanity4'   
8,! decision ( ,judge ,bak] is cog5t &  
pung5t1 & w be read  ) int]e/4 ,! laws  
mu/ be upheld4 ,x is n = ! ,judge to    
set ^u ! con/itutionality or ju/ice ( ! 
law2 x is = him a  sacr$ duty to impose 
! puni%m5t met$ out 9 ! code4 ,virg9ia  
mu/ keep 9 re/ra9t ! wire-work+s (      
abolition s5tim5ts4 ,we  h 9 ?is t[n    
suff]$ mu* f ! aggression ( ,nor!rn     
foes1  & a /rong cordon mu/ encircle our
 dome/ic in/itutions4 ,we mu/  pres]ve f
 discord & angry passions our firesides 
& home/eads4  ,we mu/ pres]ve inviolate 
! maje/y ( laws necess>y = !  protection
 ( our rights2 & !re is no "o (         
intellig5ce &  =esight :o w pron\nce !  
judgm5t unrighte\s4    8,mrs4 ,d\glass's
 "t w run out ?is week1 & we h he>d x   

/at$ f good au?ority1 t h] imprisonm5t w
 be a pecuni>y  rew>d to h]4 ,we hope t 
our citiz5s w prev5t by all possible    
means any attempt to aid ?is woman1 b   
let h] dep>t h5ce ) only  "o wi%1 t h]  
pres5ce w nev] be intrud$ ^u u aga94    
,let  h] seek h] associates at ! ,nor?1 
& ) !m comm+le1 b let  u put a *eck to  
su* mis*iev\s views z fell f h] lips la/
  ,novemb]1 s5tim5ts unwor?y a resid5t (
 ! ,/ate1 & 9 direct  rebellion aga9/   
our ,con/itution40    ,my read]s w      
p]ceive two important concessions 9 ?is 
article2  fir/1 t m9e 0 ! fir/ case t _h
 ev] be5 tri$ "u  t peculi> act s9ce its
 passage1 & t public sympa?y 0  /rongly 
excit$ 9 my favor3 & secondly1 t x 0 !  
hope &  wi% ( e "o t ,i %\ld leave !    
city1 & ?us enable !m  to escape f !    
dilemma 9 :i* !y 7 plac$4 ,n[1 ,i submit
 to  my read]s :e!r x 0 n ask+ a little 
too mu* ( me1 t ,i  %\ld volunt>ily all[
 myself to be br&$ z an escap$ fugitive1
  & subject myself to be adv]tis$ z su* 
9 e newspap] 9 !  c\ntry1 h a price set 

^u my head1 & be h\rly liable to arre/  
by any (fic]1 :o ?\ght x wor? ! tr\ble1 
:]ev] ,i might be4  ,no1 ,i 0 no c[>d2  
&1 r ?an place myself 9 su* a position  
z t1 ,i w\ld h suff]$ my "r h& to be cut
 (f4    ,x mu/ be said1 h[ev]1 t nei!r  
,i1 nor any "o else1 ev]  suppos$ = a   
mom5t1 t ,i %\ld receive any fur!r      
puni%m5t =  my (f5ce ?an ! infliction ( 
! nom9al f9e already fix$ by  ! v]dict (
 ! jury4 ,ju/ice did n require x1 nor ! 
cause (  morality4 ,my "* 0 su* t !re 0 
no cause to fe> t  ,i %\ld break my     
pl$ge1 & attempt to r5ew my s*ool2 &    
common  gallantry alone %\ld h l$ any   
g5tleman1 mu* m a dignifi$  ,judge1 9 ^:
 sole discretion ! matt] re/$1 to h     
dealt )  a woman z l5i5tly z ! /rict    
lett] ( ! law w\ld all[4 ,i  re/$ 9     
p]fect security until ! #aj? day (      
,janu>y1 #ahed1 :5 ,i  0 call$ be=e !   
,c\rt1 & receiv$ f ,judge ,bak]1 n only 
an unnecess>ily long & disc\rte\s       
reprim&1 b a s5t5ce to an  imprisonm5t (
 "o mon? 9 ! city jail6    ,s a/\nd$ 7 !

 :ole community at ! %ameless impud5ce (
  su* a s5t5ce1 f a ,judge ^: own family
 _h be5 engag$ 9  ! v same acts = :i* ,i
 0 puni%$1 t a numb] ( !  mo/           
respectable memb]s ( ! ,norfolk b>      
reque/$ a copy ( ,judge  ,bak]'s        
decision = publication1 :i*             
correspond5ce1 ) !  decision z !n       
publi%$1 ,i "h give entire3--           
,,commonweal? vs4 ,,m>g>et ,,d\glass4   
,,hon4 ,,ri*>d ,h4 ,,bak]3    ,de>      
,sir--,! und]sign$1 memb]s ( ! ,norfolk 
,b>1 e>ne/ly ask at  y\r h&s a copy ( ! 
judgm5t ?is day pron\nc$ 9 ! case (     
,commonweal? vs4 ,d\glass1 =            
publication4      ,,tazewell ,,taylor1  
,m4 ,,cooke1    ,h4 ,,woodis1    ,,wm4  
,g4 ,,dunb>1    ,,simon ,s4 ,,/ubbs1    
,,wm4 ,t4 ,,h5dr51    ,,jno4 ,s4        
,,lovett1    ,p4 ,p4 ,,mayo4    ,jan4   
#aj?1 #ahed4      8,,decision4    ,^u an
 indictm5t previ\sly f\nd aga9/ y1 =    
assembl+ )  negroes to in/ruct !m to    
read or write1 & = associat+ )  !m 9 an 
unlawful assembly1 y 7 f\nd guilty1 & a 

m]e nom9al  f9e impos$1 on ! la/ day (  
?is ,c\rt held 9 ! mon? (  ,novemb]4 ,at
 ! "t ! jury came 9 & r5d]$ _! v]dict y 
7 n 9 ,c\rt1 & ! ,c\rt be+ ab\t to      
adj\rn = ! purpose  ( att5d+ to o!r     
(ficial duties 9 a di/ant "p ( ! ,/ate1 
x 0 necess>y & prop]1 "u ! law1 to aw>d 
a capias aga9/  y1 returnable to !      
pres5t adj\rn$ t]m1 s t ! judgm5t &     
s5t5ce ( ! law may be fulfill$4 ,! ,c\rt
 is n call$ on to  v9dicate ! policy ( !
 law 9 "q1 = s long z x rema9s  ^u !    
/atute book1 & unrepeal$1 public &      
private ju/ice &  morality require t x  
%\ld be respect$ & su/a9$4 ,!re are     
p]sons1 ,i believe1 9 our community1    
oppos$ to ! policy ( !  law 9 "q4 ,!y   
pr(ess to believe t univ]sal            
intellectual  culture is necess>y to    
religi\s in/ruction & education1 & t    
su* culture is suitable to a /ate (     
slav]y2 & !re c be no  misappreh5sion z 
to y\r op9ions on ?is subject1 judg+ f !
  indiscreet fre$om ) :i* y spoke ( y\r 
reg>d = ! color$  race 9 g5]al4 ,su*    

op9ions 9 ! pres5t /ate ( our society ,i
  reg>d z manife/ly mis*iev\s4 ,x is n  
true t our slaves _c  be taught religi\s
 & moral duty1 )\t be+ able to read !   
,bible & use ! p54 ,intellectual &      
religi\s in/ruction (t5  g h& 9 h&1 b ! 
latt] may well exi/ )\t ! =m]2  & ! tru?
 ( ?is is abundantly v9dicat$ by !      
well-kn[n fact  t 9 _m p>ts ( our own   
,commonweal?1 z 9 o!r p>ts ( !  c\ntry 9
 :i* among ! :ites "o-f\r? or m are     
entirely  )\t a k ( lett]s1 respect = ! 
law1 & = moral &  religi\s conduct &    
behavi\r1 are ju/ly & prop]ly appreciat$
  & practis$4    8,a valuable report or 
docum5t rec5tly publi%$ 9 ! city (  ,new
 ,york1 by ! ,s\!rn ,aid ,society1 sets 
=? _m valuable &  important tru?s ^u !  
condition ( ! ,s\!rn slaves1 & !        
utility ( moral & religi\s in/ruction1  
ap>t f a k (  books4 ,i recomm5d !      
c>eful p]usal ( x to all ^: op9ions     
concur ) y\r own4 ,x %[s t a sy/em (    
cate*etical  in/ruction1 ) a cle> &     
simple exposition ( ,scripture1 has be5 

employ$ ) gratify+ success2 t ! slave   
population ( !  ,s\? are peculi>ly      
susceptible ( good religi\s influ5ces4  
,_!  m]e resid5ce among a ,*ri/ian p has
 wr\ght a great & happy  *ange 9 _!     
condition3 !y h be5 rais$ f ! night (   
hea!nism to ! light ( ,*ri/ianity1 &    
?\s&s ( !m h  be5 br\ght to a sav+ k ( !
 ,gospel4    8,( ! "o hundr$ millions ( 
! negro race1 !re _c be f\nd  ano!r s   
l>ge a body z ! ?ree millions ( slaves 9
 ! ,unit$  ,/ates1 at once s intellig5t1
 s incl9$ to ! ,gospel1 & s  bless$ by !
 elevat+ influ5ce ( civilization &      
,*ri/ianity4  ,occasional in/ances (    
cruelty & oppression1 x is true1 may    
sometimes occur1 & probably w ev]       
cont9ue to take place "u  any sy/em (   
laws3 b ?is is n conf9$ to wrongs       
committ$ ^u  ! negro2 wrongs are        
committ$ & cruelly practis$ 9 a l degree
  by ! lawless :ite man ^u 8 own color2 
& :ile ! negroes  ( our t[n & ,/ate are 
kn[n to be surr\nd$ by mo/ ( !          
sub/antial com=ts ( life1 & invit$ bo?  

by precept & example  to p>ticipate 9   
prop]1 moral & religi\s duties1 x       
argues1 x  seems to me1 a sickly        
s5sibility t[>ds !m to say _! p]sons1  &
 feel+s1 & int]e/s are n suffici5tly    
respect$ by our laws1  :i*1 9 effect1   
t5d to nullify ! act ( our ,legislature 
pass$ =  ! security & protection ( _!   
ma/]s4    8,! law "u :i* y h be5 tri$ & 
f\nd guilty is n  to be f\nd among !    
orig9al enactm5ts ( our ,legislature4 ,!
  fir/ legislative provision ^u ?is     
subject 0 introduc$ 9 !  ye> #ahca1     
imm$iately succe$+ ! bloody sc5es ( !   
memorable  ,s\?ampton insurrection2 & t 
law be+ f\nd n suffici5tly  p5al to *eck
 ! wrongs compla9$ (1 0 re-enact$ )     
additional  p5alties 9 ! ye> #ahdh1 :i* 
la/ m5tion$ act1 aft] sev]al  ye>s trial
 & exp]i5ce1 has be5 re-affirm$ by      
adoption1 &  incorporat$ into our pres5t
 code4 ,aft] ^! sev]al & repeat$        
recognitions ( ! wisdom & propriety ( ! 
said act1 x may well  be said t bold &  
op5 opposition to x is a matt] n to be  

slightly reg>d$1 especially z we h      
reason to believe t e  ,s\!rn slave     
,/ate 9 our c\ntry1 z a measure (       
self-pres]vation  & protection1 has     
deem$ x wise & j to adopt laws ) simil> 
provisions4    8,!re might h be5 no     
occasion = su* enactm5ts 9 ,virg9ia1  or
 else:]e1 on ! subject ( negro          
education1 b z a matt] (  self-def5ce   
aga9/ ! s*emes ( ,nor!rn inc5di>ies1 & !
  outcry aga9/ hold+ our slaves 9       
bondage4 ,_m n[ liv+ well  rememb] h[1 &
 :51 & :y ! anti-slav]y fury began1 & by
  :at means its manife/ations 7 made    
public4 ,our mails 7 clogg$  ) abolition
 pamphlets & inflammatory docum5ts1 to  
be di/ribut$  among our ,s\!rn negroes  
to induce !m to cut our ?roats4         
,sometimes1 x may be1 ^! libel\s        
docum5ts 7 di/ribut$ by  ,nor!rn citiz5s
 pr(ess+ ,s\!rn feel+s1 & at o!r times  
by  ,s\!rn p pr(ess+ ,nor!rn feel+s4    
,^!1 h[ev]1 7  n ! only means resort$ to
 by ! ,nor!rn fanatics to /ir up        
insubord9ation among our slaves4 ,!y    

scatt]$ f> & ne> pocket  h&k]*iefs1 &   
o!r simil> articles1 ) frightful        
engrav+s1  & pr9t$ ov] ) anti-slav]y    
nons5se1 ) ! view to "w ^u  ! feel+ &   
ignorance ( our negroes1 :o o!rwise w\ld
 h  rema9$ com=table & happy4 ,"u su*   
circum/ances !re 0 b  "o measure (      
protection = ! ,s\?1 & t 0 adopt$4      
8,tea*+ ! negroes to read & write is    
made p5al by ! laws (  our ,/ate4 ,! act
 imposes a f9e n exce$+ "o hundr$       
doll>s1 to  be asc]ta9$ by ! jury1 &    
imprisonm5t n exce$+ six mon?s1  to be  
fix$ & asc]ta9$ by ! ,c\rt4 ,& n[1 s9ce 
! jury 9  y\r case has 9 my op9ion      
prop]ly settl$ ! "q ( guilt1  x devolves
 on me1 "u ! law1 to asc]ta9 & decide ^u
 !  quantum ( imprisonm5t "u !          
circum/ances ( y\r trial & ,i  exce$+ly 
regret1 t 9 be+ call$ on = ! fir/ "t to 
act  "u ! law 9 "q1 x becomes my duty to
 impose ! requir$  puni%m5t ^u a female1
 app>5tly ( fair & respectable /&+  9 ! 
community4 ,! only mitigat+ circum/ance 
9 y\r case1 if 9  tru? !re be any1      

accord+ to my be/ reason & und]/&+ (  x1
 is t to :i* ,i h j ref]$1 namely1 y be+
 a female4  ,"u ! circum/ances ( ?is    
case1 if y 7 ( a diff]5t sex1  ,i %\ld  
reg>d ! full puni%m5t ( six mon?s       
imprisonm5t z  em95tly j & prop]4 ,_h y 
tak5 ! advice ( y\r fri5ds  & ( ! ,c\rt1
 & _h employ$ c\ncil to def5d y1 y\r    
case  no d\bt1 w\ld h be5 pres5t$ 9 a f>
 m favorable light  bo? to ! ,c\rt & to 
! jury4 ,! op9ions y advanc$1 & !       
p]t9acity & zeal y manife/$ 9 behalf ( !
 negroes1 :ile  !y indicat$ p]fect c&or 
& s9c]ity on y\r "p1 satisfi$  ! ,c\rt1 
& mu/ h satisfi$ all :o he>d y1 t ! act 
compla9$ ( 0 ! settl$ & delib]ate       
purpose ( y\r m9d1  reg>dless (         
consequ5ces1 h[ev] dang]\s to our peace4
    8,9 con=mity ) ^! views1 ,i am      
impell$ by a feel+ ( common  hone/y1 to 
say t ?is is n a case 9 :i* a m]e =mal  
judgm5t  %\ld be ann\nc$ z ! op9ion ( ! 
,c\rt4 ,some?+ m  sub/antial "u !       
circum/ances ( ?is case1 ,i ?9k1 is     
dem&$  & requir$4 ,! discretion>y p[] to

 imprison = ! t]m ( six  mon?s or less1 
9 good s5se & s\nd morality1 does n     
au?orise  a m]e m9imum puni%m5t1 su* z  
imprisonm5t = a day or week1 9  a case 9
 :i* ! "q ( guilt is free f d\bt1 & !re 
are _m facts & circum/ances (           
aggravation4 ,a judgm5t ( t  sort1      
!re=e1 9 ?is case1 w\ld d\btless be     
reg>d$ by all true  advocates ( ju/ice &
 law z m]e mock]y4 ,x w\ld be no t]ror  
to  ^? :o ackn[l$ge no rule ( action b  
_! own evil w &  pleasure1 b w\ld r     
invite to /ill bold] inc5di>y movem5ts4 
,= ^! reasons1 z an example to all o!rs 
9 l cases dispos$  to (f5d1 & 9         
v9dication ( ! policy & ju/ness ( our   
laws1  :i* e individual %\ld be taught  
to respect1 ! judgm5t (  ! ,c\rt is1 9  
addition to ! prop] f9e & co/s1 t y be  
imprison$ = ! p]iod ( "o mon? 9 ! jail (
 ?is city40    ,x is h>dly necess>y = me
 to dwell ^u my feel+s :5 ,i receiv$    
?is unexpect$ s5t5ce4 ,!y 7 ( c\rse m   
int]e/+ to  me ?an to my read]s4 ,my    
n>rative ( ! hi/ory ( ! case "h  prop]ly

 t]m9ates1 x be+ only necess>y = me to  
/ate t ,i  0 imm$iately inc>c]at$1 &    
sp5t ! mon? )9 ! walls (  a prison1 "o  
week ( :i* 0 pass$ 9 sickness4 ,i       
receiv$ e  all[able att5tion f ! jailor 
& 8 amiable wife1 & ev5  rema9$ ) !m a  
day or two aft] my s5t5ce expir$4       
,all social ties t b\nd me to ! p (     
,virg9ia 7 sund]$  by ?is act2 ,i 0 free
 f any obligation due to _! laws1 &     
felt t ,i c\ld be ( no f>!r s]vice to   
any "o1 :e!r :ite  or color$4 ,i !re=e  
ga!r$ toge!r my little h\sehold goods1  
&1 9 ! mon? ( ,febru>y la/1 remov$ ) my 
daught] to !  ,city ( ,philadelphia1 :]e
 we are n[ quietly resid+1 happy 9 !    
consci\sness t x is "h no crime to tea* 
a poor little *ild1 (  any color1 to    
read ! ,^w ( ,god4    ,my read]s w      
naturally expect f me sundry reflections
 9  connection ) my p]sonal n>rative4 ,!
 subject itself naturally  induces !m1 &
 ,i %\ld be untrue to myself if ,i1 a   
,s\!rn woman1  did n address ! ,s\!rn p 
9 t]ms :i* ! occasion &  circum/ances   

ju/ify4 ,my rem>ks w be desultory &     
disconnect$1  z ,i am m]ely to record   
su* ?\ghts z h occurr$ to me n only     
dur+ ! "t t has pass$ s9ce my           
conviction1 b :i* _h be5  previ\sly =c$ 
^u me by c>efully exam9+ ! condition ( !
  ,s\!rn p 9 all _! relations4    ,_m   
laws 9 ,virg9ia1 z else:]e1 h become    
dead-lett]s4 ,ev5  9 ,norfolk itself1 z 
well z g5]ally ?r\gh\t ! ,/ate1 !       
p>ticul> law infr+$ unkn[+ly by me1 _h  
long be5 held z  su*1 & 0 violat$ daily 
& h\rly by ^? :o 7 reg>d$ z  lead]s 9   
society1 9 morals & 9 religion4 ,b !    
opportunity 0  s good a "o to make me a 
victim1 a sacrifice 9 expiation ( all   
pa/ (f5ces & (f5d]s1 t x c\ld n be      
ov]look$4 ,caught  & b\nd1 ,i 0 laid ^u 
! alt> ( ! law1 b did n exp]i5ce  ! good
 =tune ( ,isaac4 ,!re 0 ! fire & !      
wood--he>tless  judge & quibbl+ lawy]s1 
& ,i 0 immolat$4 ,0 n su* ju/ice        
*ivalr\s8 ,7 n su* lawy]s magnanim\s8   
,"h is pres5t$ a some:at s+ul> /ate (   
?+s to exi/ 9 a  ,/ate pr(ess+ to be !  

mo/ gallant & dignifi$ ( ! :ole         
,conf$]acy4 ,a l>ge numb] ( negroes1    
am\nt+ 9 value to betwe5  fifty & "o    
hundr$ ?\s& doll>s1 h1 )9 a %ort "t1    
made  _! escape f ,norfolk to a ,nor!rn 
port4 ,?is is a griev\sly  sore evil1 & 
decid$ly practical loss4 ,b :at is !    
plan pursu$8  ,:y1 aft] fail+ to secure 
a portion ( !m1 all fur!r ef=ts to      
obta9 !m are giv5 up1 & pure li/lessness
 & indiff]5ce take  ! place ( an active 
int]e/ 9 favor ( recov]+ or protect+  _!
 prop]ty4 ,a meet+1 adv]tis$ to call    
toge!r slave-own]s  to sugge/ "s plan ( 
r$ress1 meets ) b a meagre & p>tial     
response1 & ! matt] ends by p]mitt+ !   
:ole outrage &  grievance to die away   
among ! idle/ trifles ( ! day4    ,on ! 
o!r h&1 a lady is caught1 detect$1      
entrapp$1 foll[+  9 ! wake ( o!rs1 tea*+
 a few free negroes to spell &  read _! 
,sunday lessons1 & ^u pro( !re(1 is put 
into a  felon's prison1 & ! ignom9y1    
disgrace1 & infamy ev5 ( a base  crim9al
 are said to be h]s1 by ! b5* & ! press4

 ,if ,nor!rn  vessels be> away ! slaves 
( ,norfolk1 ! height ( rev5ge &         
recrim9ation seem to be f\nd 9 v5t+ ^u a
 ,s\!rn lady's  head ! v9dictiv5ess (   
individuals & ! viol5ce ( ! law4  ,if   
,nor!rn m>%als refuse to p]=m _! duties 
z slave-cat*]s  "u ! ,fugitive law1 !   
:ole matt]1 aft] a little feel+1 is     
all[$ to be =gott52 b1 let a ,s\!rn lady
 presume to obey "s  ( ! g5tle/ & pure/ 
in/9cts ( h] nature & ! tea*+s (  *>ity1
 by in/ruct+ a few free black ur*9s (   
bo? sexes to read  _! ,bibles1 & !      
p5alties ( ! law are visit$ ^u h] head1 
)\t any compunctions ( consci5ce1 any   
att5tion to ! monitions  ( gallantry1 or
 any reg>d to ! re/ra9ts ( a ref9$      
delicacy4  ,alas6 = ! boa/$ honor &     
hone/y ( ! old ,virg9ia nobility6    ,"h
 is a view ( ! case t may n be unwor?y (
 att5tion3 ,x  is ! en]gy ( ! :ite man t
 has made ?is c\ntry :at x is1  & 8     
alone t w make x :at x is to be4 ,to !  
s9ew1 !  n]ve1 ! /rong arm1 ! moral &   
physical c\rage1 & ! g5ius  ( !         

,anglo-,saxon race1 is ! _w indebt$ = ! 
gr& spectacle  we n[ pres5t z a great1  
happy & prosp]\s p2 & to ! same  ennobl+
 elem5ts & excell5cies 9 ! composition (
 ! :ite  man w ! va/ republican empire1 
n[ spread+ its arms ov] !  :ole e>?1 be 
indebt$ = its exi/5ce & p]petuation4    
,hold+  ?is view1 x _c be !n said t ,i 0
 educat+ negroes z  rivals or           
competitors ( my bro!rs & si/]s ( a     
sup]ior race4  ,hold+ to ?is op9ion1 ) a
 t5acity t is z insep>able f my  judgm5t
 z is color f ! ,e?iopian1--kn[+1 z ,i  
d1 f all  hi/ory z well z all cotempor>y
 obs]vation & record1 t !  ,caucasian   
race are ! 8mo/ godlike10 & ! au?ors (  
all 9 !  arts & sci5ces t contributes   
mo/ to man's m ref9$ ta/es1  pleasures1 
& ambition4 ,i am sure t ,i c\ld n1 ,s\?
 nor ,nor?1  attempt to *ange !         
8,e?iopian's sk90 9 ! va9 endeavor to   
make  him an equal--socially1           
politically1 or ev5 morally--) my own   
race4  ,no su* ?+1 h[ev]1 0 *>g$ ^u me4 
,my (f5ce consi/$ 9  tea*+ a few poor   

color$ *ildr51 free by ! laws ( _! own  
,/ate1 to read ! ,bible1 ! v book on :i*
 ! in/itutions (  our l& are bas$4      
,common *>ity1 !n1 w\ld h attribut$ to  
me only a feel+ ( sympa?y = a l[] ord] (
 society2 common  *>ity1 z _h be5 ! case
 be=e1 9 ,virg9ia1 w\ld h look$  ) a    
l5i5t eye ^u :at ! want ( all *>ity     
con/ru$ into a  crime6    ,i feel       
impell$ "h to review briefly ! decision 
( ,judge ,bak]1  9 my case1 & to make   
su* rem>ks ^u x z may seem p]t95t4  ,x w
 be se5 t ! lett] reque/+ a copy ( !    
decision =  publication is sign$ by a   
numb] ( ! mo/ respectable citiz5s (     
,norfolk1 & an attempt has be5 made to  
id5tify !m z ent]ta9+  ! same op9ions1 &
 possess+ ! same want ( sympa?y1 z !    
,judge himself4 ,i am happy1 h[ev]1 to  
in=m my read]s t su* is  n ! case4 ,!y1 
9 common ) ! re/ ( ! s5sible portion  ( 
! community1 7 a/\nd$ by ! decision1 &  
m]ely desir$  to h on record ! exact    
language & s5tim5ts ( ?is /range        
disp5s] ( ju/ice1 9 ord] t !y might "k  

h5ce=? 9 :at  light to reg>d him4 ,t he 
insult$ ! good s5se & g5]\s  nature ( ! 
community 9 :i* he liv$ by s c[>dly &   
unmanly  a decision1 & especially by 8  
ne$less & uncall$ = tirade  address$ to 
me on pass+ s5t5ce1 he n[ well kn[s4 ,! 
community  h already plac$ ! prop]      
e/imate ^u him1 & he is wri?+  "u !     
d\ble infliction ( _! contempt1 & ! /+s 
( 8  own consci5ce4 ,i h already /at$ ! 
sudd5 & my/]i\s dea?  ( ,mr4 ,davis1 "o 
( my bitt]e/ p]secutors1 & am also in=m$
  t ,judge ,bak]1 s9ce ! r5d]+ ( 8      
decision 9 my case1 8has  nev] be5 (    
exactly z equable & pleasant a frame (  
m9d1 b  mu* m morose1 sn>li%1 & n]v\s40 
,poor man6 ,he c]ta9ly has  suffici5t   
cause to be s4    ,! ,judge admits 9 8  
decision1 t !re are p]sons 9 t          
community oppos$ to ! policy ( ! law 9  
"q1 & :o  believe t univ]sal            
intellectual culture is necess>y to     
religi\s  in/ruction & education1 & t   
su* culture is suitable to a  /ate (    
slav]y4 ,he1 h[ev]1 embraces !          

opportunity to /ate t  he reg>ds su*    
op9ions z 8manife/ly mis*iev\s40 ,he>1  
oh ,e>?6  ,a ,judge1 9 ! mo/ enlight5$  
c\ntry 9 ! _w1 & 9 !  n9ete5? c5tury1   
believes t ! intellectual culture (     
human  be+s is a crime6 ,he pr(esses to 
hold ! ,bible to be ! ^w (  ,god1 & ! v 
bulw>k ( our in/itutions--f x he d]ives 
!  "r to hold a portion ( human be+s 9  
bondage--9 x he sees !  ,div9e comm& to 
e human s\l to 8se>* ! ,scriptures10 &  
yet  says t a c]ta9 portion ( ! _w mu/ n
 obey ?is comm&1  & t x is a crime to   
tea* !m to d s6 ,admirable logic6 ,oh1  
mo/ righte\s ,judge6 ,8 real "* may be  
bett] se5 reveal$  9 a subsequ5t s5t5ce1
 :]e9 he argues t !re is m respect  = ! 
law & = moral & religi\s conduct &      
behavior 9 ^?  sections ( ,virg9ia1 :]e 
ev5 among ! :ites "o-f\r? or m  are     
entirely )\t a k ( lett]s4 ,:y1 ?is     
man's av[$  pr9ciples w\ld d away )     
education ( any k9d = any class (  p6   
,he w\ld see 8 own ,/ate1 pr\d & haughty
 ,virg9ia1 return  to a /ate ( b>b>ism1 

& completely %r\d$ 9 a pall ( m5tal     
d>kness6 ,?is is ! inevitable conclusion
 f 8 own words4 ,is  ,norfolk1 t little 
corn] ( ! great ,commonweal?1 s f> beh9d
  ! age z to desire a /ate ( ?+s s      
e>ne/ly deprecat$ 9 o!r  sections ( !   
,/ate8 ,or is ?is sapi5t ,judge alone ! 
ent]ta9]  ( su* s5tim5ts8 ,does he n "k 
t ! p ?r\gh\t ! old  ,commonweal? h     
become al>m$ at _! rapid degradation1 & 
are  petition+ _! ,legislature to devise
 measures to /op ! d[nw>d  t5d5cy to    
utt] ignorance8 ,has he nev] se5 ?is    
%ort b mom5t\s  s5t5ce1 orig9ally       
publi%$ 9 ! ,ri*mond ,:ig ( ,april #c;d1
  #ahed1 viz3    8,e decade exhibits a  
rapid & fe>ful increase ( ?is mass (    
ignorance4 ,9 #ahdj1 ! numb] ( !        
unlett]$ 9 ,virg9ia am\nt$  to sixty    
?\s&4 ,9 #ahej1 x exce$$ eighty ?\s&4   
,at ?is rate1  x w n require _m c5turies
 to ext+ui% all k (  lett]s 9 ! ,/ate40 
,"h is a fact t e ,virg9ian %\ld pond]  
well4 ,!re is no  d\bt z to ! data1 &   
less z to ! result1 unless some?+ is    

done at once to /ay ?is d[>d curr5t4    
,let !m /udy ! real  cause ( ?is /ate ( 
?+s1 & n attribute x to any b  ! "r "o4 
,is ! way to remove ! evil prop]ly      
comm5c$ by  imprison+ a woman = tea*+ a 
few little *ildr5 to read8 ,aga9 ,i     
say1 oh1 mo/ righte\s ,judge6    ,b !   
h>dihood ( ,judge ,bak] 0 ev9c$ 9 8 us+ 
! language  quot$1 :5 he knew t 8 mo/   
intimate fri5ds1 & ev5 memb]s  ( 8 own  
family _h be5 & 7 engag$ 9 do+ )        
impunity  :at 9 me 0 a crime4 ,h[ he c  
reconcile 8 treatm5t ( me )  8          
consci5ce1 :5 he rememb]s ?is fact1 is  
be/ kn[n to himself4  ,probably 8 usual 
admirable logic w help him out ( !      
dilemma4 ,i  am sure ,i _c4    ,! le>n$ 
,judge gr[s rem>kably religi\s z he     
proce$s4 ,he admits  t 8! slave         
population ( ! ,s\? are peculi>ly       
susceptible  ( good religi\s influ5ces40
 ,he ev5 d>es to say t 8_! m]e  resid5ce
 among a ,*ri/ian p has wr\ght a great &
 happy *ange  9 _! condition3 !y h be5  
rais$ f ! night ( ,hea!nism  to ! light 

( ,*ri/ianity1 & ?\s&s ( !m h be5 br\ght
  to a sav+ k ( ! ,gospel4 ,( ! "o      
hundr$ millions (  ! negro race1 !re _c 
be f\nd ano!r s l>ge a body z !  ?ree   
millions ( slaves 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 at 
once s intellig5t1  s incl9$ to !       
,gospel1 & s ble/ by ! elevat+ influ5ces
  ( civilization & ,*ri/ianity40 ,all[  
me1 oh wond]ful judge6 to  ask y "o     
simple "q1 :i* ,i mu* fe> ev5 y\r logic 
w  be puzzl$ to answ]4 ,if su* be ! "* &
 condition ( !  slave population1 & ! m1
 7z by y\r own %[+17 !y become  acqua9t$
 ) ! pr9ciples ( ! ,gospel1 ! m !y con=m
  to !m1 h[ is x t y reg>d z a crime1 ! 
giv+ !m !  in/ruction necess>y to       
accompli% ?is purpose8 ,:i* horn ( ?is  
dilemma w y\r ,honor *oose to be impal$ 
^u8 ,sorry am ,i to be  compell$ to     
contradict a pr(ess$ g5tleman1 b y\r    
,honor knew  t y 7 tell+ an untru? :5 y 
utt]$ t s5t5ce1 &  y knew also ! cause (
 ! mis]y & degradation among ,s\!rn     
slaves1 produc+ z x does a /ate ( ?+s   
:i* may well lead y  to fe> to h !m     

in/ruct$ 9 any ?+4 ,i "k t cause1 also1 
& ,i am go+ to tell x boldly to my      
,s\!rn bro!rs & si/]s  be=e ,i close my 
pres5t labor4    ,y are pleas$ to t]m ! 
ex]cise ( ! commone/ dictates (         
humanity 9 me a 8sickly s5sibility0     
t[>ds ! color$ race4 ,be x  s4 ,b ,i    
require ! aid ( no physician to heal me1
 & r1 w\ld  to ,god t my disease 7      
contagi\s1 & t ,i c\ld !re)  infect !   
entire ,s\?4 ,a little portion ( ! virus
 might p]haps  n be unavailable ev5 9   
y\r ve9s4 ,if x be a 8sickly s5sibility0
  to ye>n to imp>t to immortal s\ls1 t  
in/ruction necess>y to  guide !m ?r\gh  
life & upw>ds t[>ds heav51 ,i confess t 
,i am  guilty4 ,?is is ! head & front ( 
my (f5d+--no less--no m4    ,! decision 
admits t ! enactm5t "u :i* ,i suff]$ 0  
n to be f\nd 9 ! orig9al code (         
,virg9ia1 b ! result (  ! exp]i5ce &    
wisdom ( ! lat] inhabitants ( t ,/ate4  
,c]ta9ly1 ! fram]s ( ! orig9al laws ( ! 
old ,commonweal?  7 m5 ( too mu* s5se & 
=esight1 too ,*ri/ian1 too civiliz$1    

too human1 to incorporate su* a         
disgraceful law into _! rules  (        
gov]nm5t4 ,t task 0 left to _! deg5]ate 
sons ( !  pres5t decade1 & ev5 !n x c\ld
 n be accompli%$ until  eighty ?\s& ( !m
 _h return$ into t m5tal obscurity t    
*>act]iz$ ! d>k ages4 ,! law1 on its v  
face1 indicates t  x 0 n ! (fspr+ ( m5 (
 intellig5ce or common prud5ce4  ,any   
law decl>+ t any portion ( human be+s   
%all be d5i$  ! b5efits ( education1 mu/
 spr+ f ignorance & error1 &  mu/       
inevitably lead to ! same results       
univ]sally4 ,! def5d] (  su* a law      
volunt>ily classes himself ) ^? :o made 
x1 &  ^? aga9/ :om x especially op]ates4
 ,su* a man is ! ,honorable  ,ri*>d ,h4 
,bak]4    ,! next p>agraph ( ?is v5]able
 decision is s /rangely  con/ruct$ t ,i 
h>dly "k :at to say ( x4 ,! ,judge      
lit]ally  foams at ! m\? & pres5ts sad  
symptoms ( hydrophobia4 ,!  expressions 
8,nor!rn inc5di>ies10 8anti-slav]y      
fury10 8inflammatory  docum5ts10        
8cut-?roats10 8,nor!rn fanatics10       

8anti-slav]y  nons5se10 c41 make up !   
entire p>agraph4 ,8 ,honor gr[s pale    
ov] a poor little in(f5sive piece (     
musl91 ) a picture ^u x  :i* he         
d5om9ates 8frightful40 ,he succe$s 9    
work+ himself into a  p]fect fury1 &    
ab\t :at8 ,) no?+ t ,i c see ) :i* ,i1  
or ! "q be=e him1 _h any?+ to d4 ,i 0 n 
a ,nor!rn  inc5di>y or fanatic1 nor did 
,i di/ribute any inflammatory docum5ts  
or anti-slav]y nons5se4 ,i 0 a ,s\!rn   
woman1 9 e s5se ( !  ^w1 & he knew x4 ,i
 us$ no books1 except ! ,bible1 or ^?   
:i*  illu/rat$ x1 & he knew ?is also4 ,!
 only escape = 8 honor is  t he d5\nces 
! ,bible z an inflammatory or inc5di>y  
docum5t1  & z su* mu/ n be taught to !  
slaves4    ,! ,judge next regrets t ,i  
am a woman1 = ! modicum (  g5tlemanly   
honor & dignity :i* he has left1 prev5ts
 him f  ex]cis+ ! full b5t ( 8          
incl9ations1 & inflict+ ^u me  ! full   
p5alty ( ! violat$ law4 ,x is a pity he 
rememb]$ t  ,i 0 ( ! weak] sex1 & ,i    
feel t ,i h no ?anks to (f] him  = 8    

propos$ l5ity1 =1 "u ! circum/ances ( ! 
case1 an  imprisonm5t = six mon?s w\ld h
 be5 no sev]] ?an ! "o  = ?irty days4   
,he admits t ! jury _h ! p[] to regulate
  ! am\nt ( ! f9e1 b claims t x 0 8     
pr]ogative to  "n ! t]m ( my            
imprisonm5t4 ,! jury1 x w be se51 made !
  f9e m]ely nom9al1 ?us atte/+ 9 ! mo/  
emphatic mann] _!  appreciation ( !     
m]its ( ! case4 ,!re 0 n a man on t     
jury :o 0 n fully z capable ( judg+ ( "r
 & wrong1 z 0  he :o occupi$ ! b5*4 ,&  
yet he1 ?is "o man1 _h ! h>dihood  to   
set 8 judgm5t ov] !irs1 & virtually     
insult ! :ole twelve1  by inflict+ a    
puni%m5t s sev]e t x 0 no *>ity to me n 
to h ex]cis$ 8 p[] to ! fulle/ ext5t4   
,he admits t ,i  0 ( fair & respectable 
/&+ 9 ! community1 & knew f  ! evid5ce1 
z well z f 8 own k1 t ,i _h abundant    
prec$5ts = :at ,i _h done1 & t1 kn[+ !  
law1 ,i _h no  int5tion ( aga9 violat+  
x2 also1 t ! feel+ ( ! entire  community
 0 9 my favor1 & yet he wantonly1       
ne$lessly1 &  inhumanly ex]cis$ !       

au?ority ) :i* he 0 clo!d1 9 ord]  to   
make an example ( me1 :5 ,i1 by my      
=be>ance1 _h refus$ to  place scores (  
respectable ladies & g5tlem5 ( ,norfolk1
 & "s  ( !m memb]s ( 8 own family1 9 !  
unpleasant position :i* ,i  !n occupi$4 
,he ev5 twitt$ me because ,i _h n deem$ 
x prop] to  employ c\nsel to def5d me1  
intimat+ t my case w\ld h be5  pres5t$ 9
 a m favorable light to ! ,c\rt & jury  
!reby4  ,?is %[s ! v blackness ( 8      
malice1 = ! jury did all !y  c\ld1 & ,i 
d n ent]ta9 ! lea/ feel+ ( ang] t[>ds "o
 (  !m4 ,!y c\ld n d o!rwise ?an f9d me 
guilty ( a violation  ( ! law1 z x /ood1
 b !y did all 9 _! p[] to r5d] its      
p5alty nom9al1 by impos+ ^u me ! l[e/   
f9e x recogniz$4 ,x  0 ! ,judge himself 
:o insult$ ! jury by virtually tell+ !m 
_! judgm5t 0 errone\s1 & !n he turns to 
me & says my case  might h be5 m        
favorably pres5t$ if ,i _h employ$      
c\nsel6    ,! conclusion is obvi\s1 t he
 0 actuat$1 n by a desire  to uphold !  
law & adm9i/] ju/ice1 b by "s motive    

alike  discr$itable to him z a ,judge & 
a man4 ,) ?is conclusion1 ,i  leave him 
to settle ) 8 own consci5ce4 ,i h no    
disposition to  call him h>d names4 ,he 
has done me all ! injury he c\ld1 & ?\gh
  ,i may =give him1 ,i am satisfi$ t he 
nev] c =give himself1 or  escape f !    
doom to :i* he has already be5 s5t5c$ by
 e  s5sible & "r ?9k+ p]son 9 !         
community4 ,honorable ,ri*>d  ,h4 ,bak]1
 ,judge ( ! ,circuit ,c\rt ( ! ,city (  
,norfolk1 ,i bid y  an affectionate     
f>ewell4    ,i w "h give to my read]s a 
v]batim copy ( ! law "u :i*  ,i 0       
prosecut$ & convict$4 ,x is copi$ f !   
code ( ,virg9ia1  pass$ by ! ,g5]al     
,assembly ( ! ,commonweal? ( ,virg9ia1 9
 !  mon? ( ,augu/1 #ahdi1 & w be f\nd on
 page #gdg1 *apt] #aih4 ,x  reads z     
foll[s3--    8,section #ca4 ,e          
assemblage ( negroes = ! purpose (      
religi\s  wor%ip1 :5 su* wor%ip is      
conduct$ by a negro1 & e  assemblage (  
negroes = ! purpose ( in/ruction 9 read+
 or  writ+1 or 9 ! night-"t = any       

purpose1 %all be an unlawful  assembly3 
any ,ju/ice may issue 8 w>rant to any   
(fic]1 or o!r  p]son1 requir+ him to    
ent] any place :]e su* assemblage may   
be1  & seize any negro !re92 & he1 or   
any o!r ,ju/ice1 may ord]  su* negro to 
be puni%$ ) /ripes4    8,sec4 #cb4 ,if a
 :ite p]son assemble ) negroes = !      
purpose (  in/ruct+ !m to read or write1
 or if he associate ) !m 9  an unlawful 
assembly1 he %all be conf9$ 9 jail n    
exce$+ six  mon?s1 & f9$ n exce$+ "o    
hundr$ doll>s2 & any ,ju/ice  may       
require him to ent] into a recognizance1
 ) suffici5t  security1 to appe> be=e ! 
,circuit1 ,c\nty1 or ,corporation ,c\rt1
  :]e ! (f5ce 0 committ$1 at its next   
t]m1 to answ] !re=2  & 9 ! meantime1 to 
keep ! peace & be ( good behavior40     
,x w be se5 f ?is1 t 9 ! enlight5$ ,/ate
 ( ,virg9ia1  x is a crime = "o portion 
( human be+s to wor%ip _! ,mak]6        
,comm5t is unnecess>y4 ,^? m51 ^: moral 
s5se 0 s blunt$1  s de/roy$1 t !y c\ld  
pass su* a law z t1 c\ld n be  expect$  

to f9d mu* difficulty 9 enact+ "o       
subject+ to f9e &  imprisonm5t any "o :o
 taught negro *ildr5 _! lett]s4 ,! old  
law1 = :i* ?is is a sub/itute1 0        
exce$+ly explicit 9 ?is  respect1 b _h  
become a dead lett]4 ,! new "o is v     
loose 9 its  language4 ,x w be se5 t !  
expressions 8he0 & 8him0 are us$1  all[+
 ! ,judge & jury ! opportunity ( a /rict
 con/ruction  ( ! law1 9 case a lady    
%\ld be conc]n$4 ,s9ce my trial &       
conviction1 ,i h be5 advis$ by "o ( !   
mo/ em95t c\nsel 9  ,virg9ia1 t !       
,norfolk ,c\rt exce$$ its p[]s1 &       
violat$ !  law by n con/ru+ ! act       
lit]ally 9 my case4 ,x is possible t  ,i
 may yet hold all ! p>ties conc]n$      
responsible = _! unlawful  c\rse4 ,at   
any rate1 x utt]ly demoli%es ! nice !ory
 ( ,judge  ,bak]1 t he 0 b\nd to su/a9 !
 law1 & leaves him )\t an  excuse = 8   
unnecess>y sev]ity t[>ds me4    ,i n[   
approa* a subject vitally connect$ ) !  
int]e/s ( !  ,s\? & ! welf>e ( humanity4
 ,9 do+ s1 ,i h no rancor or  malice to 

s]ve1 b boldly speak my m9d1 & tell my  
,s\!rn si/]s  a tru? :i*1 h[ev] !y may h
 le>n$ x by sad exp]i5ce1 has  probably 
nev] be5 ?us pres5t$ to !m be=e4 ,9 ?is 
tru? is  to be f\nd ! gr& secret ( !    
opposition to ! in/ruction (  ! color$  
race4 ,x !re=e becomes important 9      
connection ) my  n>rative4 ,9 ?is tru?  
also lies ! gr& secret ( ! discont5t  & 
rebellion among ! slaves4 ,kn[+ ?is1 x  
is easy to p]ceive  :y su* /r5u\s ef=ts 
are made to keep ! color$ population 9  
d>kness & ignorance4 ,z x is1 nature    
h]self (t5 rebels aga9/  :at in/9ct     
tea*es ev5 ! mo/ degrad$ negro to be    
inhuman &  devili%1 & if to ?is 7 add$ !
 light ( intellig5ce af=d$  by ev5 !    
commone/ in/ruction1 wo to ! d>l+ sy/em 
( ?is  (fspr+ ( ! in/itution ( slav]y4  
,?is subject dem&s !  att5tion1 n only (
 ! religi\s population1 b ( /atesm5 &   
law-mak]s4 ,x is ! "o great evil hang+  
ov] ! ,s\!rn slave  ,/ates1 de/roy+     
dome/ic happ9ess & ! peace ( ?\s&s4 ,x  
is summ$ up 9 ! s+le ^w--amalgamation4  

,?is1 & ?is only1  causes ! va/ ext5t ( 
ignorance1 degradation1 & crime t lies  
l a black cl\d ov] ! :ole ,s\?4 ,& !    
practice is m  g5]al ?an ev5 ,s\!rn]s   
are will+ to all[4 ,:ile ev5 !  ,nor!rn 
lib]t9e usually revolts f ! intimate    
society ( ^?  9 ^: ve9s c\rses a drop ( 
black blood1 ! ,s\!rn g5tleman  takes !m
 to 8 v bosom & revels 9 _! fanci$ *>ms1
 until  satiety disgu/s him1 :5 he      
delib]ately sells !m into l[]           
degradation z he w\ld a disabl$ horse4  
,x is impossible to d5y t ?is unnatural 
cu/om prevails to a  fe>ful ext5t       
?r\gh\t ! ,s\?4 ,! te/imony is ( too    
positive  & p]sonal a "* to be ov]come4 
,nei!r is x to be f\nd only  9 ! l[]    
ord] ( ! :ite population4 ,x p]vades !  
entire  society4 ,its foll[]s are to be 
f\nd among all ranks1 occupations1  &   
pr(essions4 ,! :ite mo!rs & daught]s ( !
 ,s\? h  suff]$ "u x = ye>s--h se5 _!   
de>e/ affections  trampl$ ^u--_! hopes (
 dome/ic happ9ess de/roy$1 & _!  future 
lives embitt]$ ev5 to agony1 by ^? :o   

%\ld be all 9  all to !m z husb&1 sons &
 bro!rs4 ,i _c use too /rong  language 9
 ref]5ce to ?is subject1 = ,i "k t x w  
meet  ) a he>tfelt response f e ,s\!rn  
woman4 ,i w\ld deal  delicately ) !m if 
,i c\ld1 b !y "k ! fact1 & _!  he>ts    
ble$ "u its k1 h[ev] !y may h attempt$  
to  conceal _! discov]ies4 ,s\!rn wives 
"k t _! husb&s come  to !m reek+ )      
pollution f ! arms ( _! tawny mi/resses4
  ,fa!r & son seek ! same s\rces (      
excitem5t1 & alike gratify  _! inhuman  
prop5sities1 sc>cely blu%+ :5 detect$1 &
  recklessly defy+ e comm& ( ,god & e   
tie ( morality &  human affection4 ,!y h
 n ev5 ! paltry excuse t ord9>y         
lib]ties sometimes make1 t _! love is   
real1 ?\gh illicit--!  :ole practice is 
pla9ly1 unequivocally1 %amelessly       
bea/ly4 ,is  !re any wond] !n t p       
addict$ to ^! habits are rapidly        
return+ to a /ate ( semi-b>b>ism8    ,is
 x to be suppos$ t ! ord9>y tea*+s (    
nature d n tell  ! sable sons & daught]s
 ( ! ,s\? t ?is cu/om is inhuman  &     

ungodly8 ,is n *a/ity a natural in/9ct1 
ev5 among ! wor/  savage nations ( !    
e>?8 ,w n ! natural impulses rebel      
aga9/ :at becomes ) !m a matt] ( =ce8 ,!
 female slave1  h[ev] fair %e may h     
become1 by ! v>i\s comm+l+s ( h]        
prog5itors1 or :atev] h] m5tal & moral  
acquirem5ts1 kn[s t  %e is a slave1 & z 
su*1 p[]less b5ea? ! :ims or fancies (  
h] ma/]4 ,if he ca/s ^u h] a desir+ eye1
 %e kn[s t %e  mu/ submit4 ,!re is no   
way ( escape1 & h] only ?\ght is1 t  ! m
 gracefully %e yields ! /rong] & long]  
hold %e may1  p]*ance1 reta9 ^u ! brutal
 appetite ( h] ma/]4 ,/ill1 %e  feels h]
 degradation1 & s d o!rs ) :om %e is    
connect$4  ,%e has p>5ts1 bro!rs &      
si/]s1 a lov] p]haps1 all ( :om  suff]  
?r\gh & ) h]1 & 9 ^: he>ts spr+ up roots
 (  bitt]ness :i* are de/9$ to gr[ into 
trees ^: bran*es w  soon] or lat]       
ov]%ad[ ! :ole l&4    ,h[ important1 !n1
 = ^! ,s\!rn sultans1 t ! objects  ( _! 
crim9al passions %\ld be kept 9 utt]    
ignorance &  degradation4 ,!y mu/ n read

 ! ,bible because t tea*es !m (  ! s9 ( 
_! ma/]s4 ,!y mu/ n wor%ip ,god1 = !    
effect  !re( w\ld be to imbue !m ) a    
deep] horror ( ?is great  wick$ness4 ,!y
 mu/ n le>n to read & write1 = e m5tal &
  moral improvem5t only t5ds to br+ out 
& improve ^? feel+s  & emotions t       
already repel ?is gross sy/em (         
s5suality  & lic5ti\sness4 ,7 ! negroes 
in/ruct$ 9 _! duties to  !mselves & to  
ea* o!r1 _! obligations to _! ma/]s &   
_! ,god1 & 7 ^! in/ructions exemplifi$  
by ! consi/5t  lives ( _! ma/]s1 ) !    
natural religi\s t5d5cies ( !  negro    
race1 ! ,s\? w\ld become ! v g>d5 ( !   
,"l4 ,in/ead  ( becom+ discont5t$ &     
rebelli\s1 ! v rev]se w\ld be  ! case4  
,!re w\ld be no fe> ( insurrections1 =  
!re w\ld  be no inducem5t4 ,b :5 a man1 
black ?\gh he be1 kn[s t1 at  any mom5t1
 he is compell$ to h& ov] 8 wife1 8     
si/]1 or 8  daught]1 to ! loa?some      
embraces ( ! man ^: *a9s he we>s1  h[ c 
x be expect$ t he w submit )\t ! feel+s 
(  hatr$ & rev5ge tak+ possession ( 8   

he>t8    ,i h no desire to pursue ?is   
subject f>!r1 at pres5t4 ,i give  x1 z !
 cause ( ! discont5t & rebellion among !
 ,s\!rn  slaves1 & also z ! cause ( !   
creation ( t disgraceful  law1 :i* n[   
/&s l a great black blot on ! code (    
,virg9ia1  & "u ^: unju/ application ,i 
h be5 made to suff]4 ,!  subject is "o t
 w n be suff]$ to re/1 = ,i "k my       
,s\!rn si/]s well en\gh to believe t !y 
w n mu* long]  re/ tamely "u ! influ5ces
 ( ?is damn+ curse4 ,i h told  !m pla9ly
 ( ! evil--! rem$y is 9 _! own h&s4     
,transcrib]'s ,notes    ,page #f3 8&1 &1
 z %e grew old]10 *ang$ to 8&1 z %e grew
  old]10    ,page #h3 8& t t !y 70 *ang$
 to 8& t !y 70    ,page #aa3 8promtly   
visit$ !m0 *ang$ to 8promptly visit$ !m0
    ,page #de3 89 our commmunity0 *ang$ 
to 89 our community0    ,page #dg3 8bo? 
by precept an example0 *ang$ to 8bo? by 
precept &  example0    ,page #fb3 8! act
 lit]aly0 *ang$ to 8! act lit]ally0